Forget the debate about whether the Dallas Mavericks should rush Anthony Davis back this season. The experienced 32-year-old player, who arrived in the impactful trade involving Luka Donćić, is scheduled to make his comeback to the court this Monday against the Brooklyn Nets, according to various reports.
Davis has been out of action since February 8 due to an adductor strain. This injury occurred during his debut game for the Mavericks after being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers. Initially considered doubtful for Monday`s game, his status was later upgraded to questionable. Now, it seems he has recovered sufficiently to return to playing.
The All-Star forward recently practiced with the G League`s Texas Legends twice last week, participating in five-on-five drills to prepare for his return. Sources indicate Davis has been very enthusiastic about playing. However, there were concerns within the Mavericks organization about the potential risks, given their current position in the Western Conference and numerous other injuries within the team. Some within the organization felt the potential risks outweighed the rewards, suggesting he should be sidelined for the rest of the season. However, Davis reportedly disagrees with this perspective.
Since acquiring Davis, the Mavericks` record has declined to 34-37, placing them 11th in the Western Conference, and they have suffered defeats in nine of their last eleven games. Adding to their woes, All-Star guard Kyrie Irving sustained an ACL tear, ruling him out for the remainder of this season and a significant portion of the next. Furthermore, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford remain unavailable, alongside other important role players, significantly limiting their player rotation to just eight or nine players most games. Considering their situation, it might be sensible for Dallas to strategically lose games for better draft picks for the remainder of the season, as long as they comply with the NBA`s Player Participation Policy. However, they currently share the same win-loss record as the 10th-place Phoenix Suns, indicating they still have something to compete for if they choose to pursue it.
With Davis`s return, it appears the Mavericks are not giving up yet. Although he has only played 31 minutes for Dallas so far, showcasing his dominance in those minutes, it remains to be seen how much he can contribute to a Mavericks team that is currently weakened.
