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Anthony Davis’ Health Concern Surfaces as Ex-NBA Star Questions Nico Harrison’s Trade Move

With all this talk around the Luka-AD trade, there is one thing that needs to be answered. Is Anthony Davis the right player for the Mavericks? The offer was so shocking that Rob Pelinka initially thought it was a joke when Nico Harrison mentioned a potential Luka Dončić trade. Even the fans were in disbelief. Yet, here we are. Now, the question is whether the Mavericks will truly benefit from this decision, especially given Davis’ history of injuries, a concern that is pointed out by a former NBA coach.

Mark Jackson recently joined the hosts on Night Cap to share his candid insights. When asked about the Lakers’ trade, Jackson acknowledged Mavericks president Nico Harrison’s bold decision to reshape the team despite the risks. “One my former lead assistant Pete Myers who played for the Chicago Bulls, a brilliant basketball mindset, a Hall of Fame General Manager once said to him ‘do not make a trade that can cost you your job’ and that’s what Nico Harrison did,” Jackson said.

While he praised Harrison’s willingness to take a high-risk, high-reward approach rather than playing safe, he also emphasized that for the Mavericks to achieve balance, Davis must remain healthy. 

He added, “But I give him credit because so many guys willing to just cruise along, I can win 20 games 30 games I could go to the lottery time and time I could be bad I got an excuse he swung for the fences and the only gamble I think he gave up a home run talent but Anthony Davis has got to stay healthy and they’ll be good for you know for the foreseeable future.

USA Today via Reuters Dec 12, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Apart from Davis, the Mavericks also received 21-year-old Max Christie. He has shown impressive talents while guarding the top talents from the opposing teams and great display as a starter. He had been averaging 8.5 points and shooting 44.4% from the field across 46 games. But the lingering question remains. Can Davis stay healthy?

Anthony Davis and his history of injuries

As highlighted by Jackson, Davis is a great addition. Alongside Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks can become a strong contender. But the player is also 31 years old and nearly 6 years older than Doncic. Davis played 64 out of 82 games in his rookie year as he suffered from a shoulder injury as well as an MCL strain later.

The 10x NBA All-Star missed nearly 15 games in his second season in the league due to a sprained toe, ankle, and shoulder. Injuries continued to cause him trouble as he led the Pelicans to the playoffs for the first time in his third season in the league.

The same goes for the 2015-2016 season when he had to miss 21 games due to a torn labrum and left knee injury. He was at his best in 2017-18 and 2018-19. While Davis had a great first season playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, problems began again in 2020-2021, when he played 36 games and only 40 in 2021-2022. However, in the previous season, he managed to play in 76 out of 82 games. The point about the trade highlighted by Jackson is notable, but the Dallas Mavericks must have surely thought it through.

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