The Dallas Mavericks made headlines during the 2025–26 season by turning down a trade proposal from the Portland Trail Blazers for Anthony Davis, ultimately shipping the star big man to the Washington Wizards in February instead. Let's break down why Dallas passed on Portland's offer and what it means for both teams.
The Blazers' proposal centered around veteran forward Jerami Grant, sweetened with draft capital and expiring contracts like Robert Williams III and Matisse Thybulle. On paper, this package seemed appealing—expiring deals typically help teams save money down the line, and draft picks offer future flexibility. However, Dallas said no, and the reason comes down to dollars and sense.
Jerami Grant still has 2.5 years remaining on his expensive contract, and the Mavericks were looking to clear their budget, not add more long-term financial commitments. Instead, they opted for a deal with Washington that provided immediate salary cap relief by removing the "burdensome" contracts of Davis, D'Angelo Russell, and Jaden Hardy.
As insider Jake Fischer reported, "Sources say that the Blazers also contacted Dallas during the season to gauge the Mavericks' interest in a Grant-centric package sweetened with draft capital in exchange for Anthony Davis." But the Mavs' front office prioritized financial flexibility over adding a veteran like Grant, even with draft picks attached.
It's worth remembering the context here: Dallas originally acquired Davis in a massive, controversial trade that sent franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025. Davis' time in Dallas was widely considered a failure due to recurring injuries—he played only 29 regular-season games for the team before being traded to Washington.
For the Blazers, this rejected proposal shows they're willing to be aggressive in the trade market, but they'll need to find a partner willing to take on Grant's contract. For the Mavericks, it's all about hitting the reset button financially and building for the future after the Dončić era ended abruptly.