Bucks show interest in Anthony Davis as trade speculation increases – TalkBasket.net

The Milwaukee Bucks have expressed interest in acquiring Anthony Davis, league sources said Christian Clark and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Milwaukee, currently 11th in the Eastern Conference at 16-20, is looking for talent to team up with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, although sources say a deal for Davis appears unlikely due to the Bucks’ limited assets and contract flexibility.

Davis, 32, has started all 19 games for the Dallas Mavericks this season, averaging 20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 31.1 minutes per game while shooting 50.6% from the field.

The veteran forward is on a max contract paying just over $54 million this season, with nearly $59 million in 2026-27 and a player option worth over $62 million the following year, complicating potential trades.

Despite trade speculation, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Davis is not pushing for a move and would prefer to remain in Dallas, where the franchise is making plans around cornerstone Cooper Flagg.

Dallas faces a roster-building dilemma that involves balancing an expensive veteran with Flagg’s development timeline and taking into account Davis’ age and injury history, which could make any long-term commitment risky.

The Mavericks are trying to gauge trade interest, but sources say concerns about Davis’ durability and contract size limit viable options, making a midseason deal a challenge.

For the Bucks, adding Davis would provide an experienced frontcourt complement for Antetokounmpo and strengthen the interior defense and scoring, but Milwaukee could struggle to put together a compelling package given its current roster and salary structure.

Any trade discussion for Davis would likely require the buy-in of his agent, Rich Paul, to guarantee a landing spot that includes a long-term, high-value extension, adding another layer of complexity to potential deals.

As the Bucks explore options, they face the challenge of limited assets and timing, which could mean Davis remains with the Mavericks at least until the trade deadline.