Rich Paul wants to be clear: he did not demand that the Dallas Mavericks trade Anthony Davis.
After reports surfaced last week suggesting Paul urged Dallas to move Davis by the end of this week, nearly a full week ahead of the NBA trade deadline, the longtime agent and Klutch Sports CEO publicly refuted the claim. Paul addressed the rumor directly on his podcast, Game Over with Max and Rich, calling the report a textbook case of aggregation gone wrong.
“That thing was aggregated. This is the power of the internet. If you’re wondering why Rich Paul has a podcast, this is part of the reason why,” Paul said. “The reality of it is, that’s fake news.”
Paul emphasized that he does not push players out of situations simply for leverage or optics. His approach, he said, prioritizes stability, family, and long-term earning power, not manufactured exits.
“When you have a player that’s on a team, it’s not like you want guys to move for the sake of being moved,” Paul said. “If a guy is happy where they are, great. You care about people’s family, you care about the guy’s wellbeing, and you care if they’re happy.
“Now, from a business perspective, you want guys positioned to be paid. I really don’t care where the money comes from… as long as my guy is in position to get paid, that’s all I want to do. This idea I don’t want a player somewhere, that’s not true.”
Dallas Still Faces a Decision, With or Without Pressure
While Paul rejected the notion of a forced timeline, the Mavericks still face a complex decision regarding Davis’ future. Multiple reports have indicated that both sides remain open to trade conversations, particularly with Davis seeking a contract extension this offseason.
Davis is under contract for two more seasons, including a 2027-28 player option worth $62.7 million. If he declines that option, he would become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028 at age 35. Dallas, meanwhile, has not indicated a willingness to commit to a full max extension, creating natural tension, even without a formal trade request.
Mavericks analyst Isaac Harris has been blunt about the risk of dragging the situation into next season.
“I don’t think there’s a world where it’s fine to hold on to Anthony Davis to start the next season,” Harris said on Locked On Mavericks. “I’ve been very clear about that.”
The concern is less about Davis’ talent and more about flexibility. His $54 million salary limits maneuverability and complicates long-term planning. Keeping him without clarity, Harris argues, creates instability rather than preserving options.
On the court, Davis remains a defensive game-changer. In the 2025-26 season, he is averaging 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals in 31.3 minutes per game, along with 11.1 rebounds. Players with that level of two-way impact are rare, even at 32.
Still, availability matters. Davis has appeared in just 20 games this season, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. His absences have contributed directly to Dallas’ slide in the standings.
Timeline and Direction Are Intertwined
The Mavericks sit at 19-27, with the playoffs increasingly out of reach. After this season, Dallas does not fully control its first-round pick until 2031, complicating any long-term tanking strategy. Yet Davis’ injury and uncertain extension talks push the franchise toward a crossroads.
There is some optimism on the recovery front as Davis reportedly has begun light on-court work.Davis is expected to miss the entire schedule until the All-Star break, with a possible return afterward.
Rich Paul may not be pushing Anthony Davis out the door, but the clock is still ticking. Dallas must soon decide whether Davis fits its long-term vision alongside Kyrie Irving and rookie Cooper Flagg, or whether clarity now is better than uncertainty later.
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