If the Memphis Grizzlies decide to go all-in on salvaging the Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. era, then Anthony Davis should at least be on the radar. An NBA champion, five-time All-NBA honoree, five-time All-Defense selectee, and 10-time All-Star, Davis would help Memphis create an elite big three.
With Davis also at the heart of trade rumors, the Grizzlies have a chance to make an offer that a vast majority of teams would struggle to compete with.
It's unclear if Memphis has any interest in Davis, let alone if it would be willing to lose a considerable number of assets in a deal for him. What's unavoidable, however, is that he and Jackson would have the potential to form an elite interior duo, with Morant potentially returning to All-NBA form alongside them.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Mavericks are open to entertaining offers for Davis and could move him if the right deal comes along.
"The Mavericks are open to exploring the trade markets for Davis, center Daniel Gafford and guardsKlay Thompson and D'Angelo Russell, sources said. Davis' agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, has met with Mavericks interim co-general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi and requested clarity about whether the franchise wants to extend Davis in the offseason or trade him ahead of the deadline. Finley and Riccardi stated the franchise wants to keep its options open and view how the team plays for the next few weeks."
In the event that the Grizzlies decide to pursue a trade for Davis, the maximum value they can provide would rival that of any potential suitor in the NBA.
Grizzlies have the picks, young players to trade for Anthony Davis
Dallas' goal in any trade that sends Davis elsewhere will likely be to acquire assets that directly aid Cooper Flagg. Flagg is not only the reigning No. 1 overall draft pick, but the new face of the Mavericks. As such, the front office must position him to succeed.
The Grizzlies offer perhaps the best opportunity to do so with a surplus of promising up-and-coming players whose skill sets would ideally complement Flagg.
Cam Spencer is already looking the part of a lights-out three-point shooter who can can catch fire and produce consistently respectable scoring numbers. Thus far in 2025-26, he's averaging 11.1 points, 3.9 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 2.2 three-point field goals made in 21.2 minutes per game on .486/.465/.907 shooting.
For perspective: The 2024 national champion's averages translate to 18.8 points, 6.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 3.7 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Memphis also has a pair of wings who have shown legitimate star potential in Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells. Both have displayed high-level proficiency as scorers, including the potential to thrive in both on and off-ball roles. They also appear capable of defending at a high level.
It'd be risky to part with either, but if the topic of conversation is what the Grizzlies are capable of offering, Coward and Wells would certainly sweeten the pot.
Grizzlies can give Mavericks chance to instantly build with Cooper Flagg
Memphis can also include a dynamic forward in Santi Aldama, who can score at all three levels and has flashed improvement on defense. Zach Edey, meanwhile, is already a walking double-double who no one wants to meet in the paint—on either end of the floor.
Compounded by the fact that Memphis has at least one first-round draft pick in every class moving forward, its offer for Davis would be difficult to beat.
The players Memphis would be sending Dallas' way could instantly slot into the rotation and give Jason Kidd a young core to build his strategy around. Rather than moving forward with nothing more than Flagg and hope, the Mavericks could develop an identity early in his career.
The picks the Grizzlies send to the Mavericks, meanwhile, would be enhanced in their appeal by the unfortunate fact that Memphis' own situation is unclear given their injury woes.
Memphis has quietly won seven of its past nine games, however, and that must be considered by Davis and the Grizzlies. On one end, it could be what's needed for the front office to hold off on a trade. On the other, it could convince them to gamble on a superstar who can tie the core together.
It's admittedly too soon to justify breaking up a promising young core that's winning games, but the Grizzlies can make an offer other teams would hate to match for Davis.