Dallas Mavericks are making a huge mistake with Anthony Davis, claims former NBA player

The Dallas Mavericks have had a season filled with unforeseen problems that have seriously hurt their chances of competing for the title. With nine games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season, they are currently out of the Play-In Tournament. However, this week, they welcomed back Anthony Davis, who returned to play after a six-week absence due to an adductor injury. Now, a former NBA player opined that the team is making a mistake with Davis.

“Realistically, it’s a tough spot because I’d rather shut him down,” reckoned Chandler Parsons during a chat on Run It Back. He then advised the Mavericks: “Go for a Top 5, 6 pick in a pretty solid front-loaded draft this year, rather than continue to go for this, make some noise, and lose in the play-in, and you’re sitting in there with the 11th or 12th pick.”

However, the former Houston Rockets forward also acknowledged that it’s a tough decision. “As a franchise, if you have enough to win right now, it’s hard to tell your guys, ‘We’re gonna shut you down’ when they’re healthy, so they’re in a real pickle,” he said. “I respect it. Obviously, when you’re healthy, play. But they gotta see it through, though.”

This stance by Parsons has been echoed in recent weeks by other analysts. Shaquille O’Neal also advised the Dallas Mavericks to shut Anthony Davis down after Kyrie Irving’s injury, believing the team’s chances of contending this year were over. With that scenario, many believe the prudent thing to do is to take care of the team’s top stars and prepare for next season.

Parsons understands Davis

In the same conversation on Run It Back, Chandler Parsons made it clear that the Dallas Mavericks could have seriously competed even after Luka Doncic’s departure. “You have to respect the magnitude of this trade with Luka for Davis and Max Christie,” he said. “Then Kyrie Irving goes down…. Now they’re kind of stuck in no man’s land.”

Parsons then put himself in Davis’ shoes regarding motivation to play the remaining games this season. “Anthony Davis is healthy enough to play, so he should play, and you gotta respect that,” the former forward considered. “He’s the new guy in a new city that’s getting kind of, ‘The trade was awful, they could have got more.’ He has something to prove as well.”

Anthony Davis is searching for his best

After a six-week absence following an adductor injury in his debut against the Houston Rockets in February, Anthony Davis returned to NBA action this week in the win over the Brooklyn Nets. He played 27 minutes and, although his level was far from what he is used to, he contributed to the team’s victory.

However, in the following game against the New York Knicks, he was out again, which shows that the intention of Jason Kidd and his assistants is to take it easy and not unnecessarily risk the former Los Angeles Lakers forward. With this scenario, it is hard to imagine that the Mavericks can base their Playoff hopes this season on Davis.