When Anthony Davis began playing for Perspectives Charter High School in Chicago, he started at point guard. Some of those flashes and instincts of a guard can still be seen today. In the last few years, especially during his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, he showed resistance to playing any position other than power forward. But as he gears up to return from a ligament injury, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd clears the air on Davis’ new role.

“He’s working extremely hard, as you mentioned, he’s on the court,” Kidd told reporters. “And he’s gonna be a dominate right hand player when he comes back. Just understanding, he’s working on his PG skills. We were just talking about that in the office that he should be the next one if we don’t have a PG, and I’m just joking.”

After Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in March, the Mavericks had an inevitable problem at the ball handler’s position. They had hoped that D’Angelo Russell would fill that spot, with Irving possibly missing the entirety of the season. However, by November, Kidd had removed Russell from the rotation despite blowouts. So, with no ball handler at his disposal, Kidd joked about handing that responsibility to Davis. But whenever he returns, it will be in the same capacity as before.

According to Dallas Hoops Journal, Davis is on the right track in his recovery. He has been logging a light workout with a protective glove on his injured left hand. The non-shooting hand allows him to do a few more drills to maintain his fitness. Davis’ timetable for return is estimated to be sometime after the All-Star break. However, there are doubts about the wisdom of his return this season.

Would the Dallas Mavericks benefit from Anthony Davis’ return?

As the regular season enters its second half, the Mavericks are grappling with two critical questions that will define their future: how to build for the long term and what to do with an injured Anthony Davis.

In the next six drafts, the Mavericks have just one secured first-round pick. That secured pick is in the upcoming draft. With Irving still out and an injury-prone Davis, there isn’t much hope for this season.

They have Cooper Flagg, who couldn’t possibly turn things around all by himself, although he remains the potential franchise centerpiece for the next decade. If the Mavericks tank this season, they could move up in the lottery, increasing their chances to provide Flagg with a better partner.

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The Mavericks are also dealing with a big Davis problem. Since his injury, the veteran’s stock has gone down. He is due for a four-year, $275 million extension in the offseason. The team and Rich Paul were trying to find the next team for him that would be willing to hand him the extension.

If the Mavericks plan to tank, they are better off without Davis returning.

Naji Marshall’s name has also come up in recent chatter after his unreal form of late. He is averaging 14.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on 54.8% shooting from the field. The benefit here is that Marshall makes less than $10 million a season, and finding a suitor shouldn’t be a major issue. They could go this route to acquire near-future draft capital in exchange for the versatile wing’s presence.