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HomeDallas Mavericks‘I’m Looking To Trade AD’: Paul Pierce Says Dallas Mavericks Should Trade Anthony Davis Now
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‘I’m Looking To Trade AD’: Paul Pierce Says Dallas Mavericks Should Trade Anthony Davis Now

Jake RogersJake Rogersno comment
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks, NBA
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks finally exhaled Saturday night in Washington, but one win hasn’t stopped the growing questions surrounding a season that has veered dangerously off track.

Dallas (3–7) snapped a four-game losing streak with a gritty 111–105 victory over the Wizards — a night defined by Naji Marshall’s homecoming masterpiece, Cooper Flagg’s all-around poise, and an undermanned roster displaying the resilience that has largely eluded it through the first three weeks.

The victory offered needed relief. But it did little to silence louder alarms now ringing around the franchise.

National Voices Pushing a Drastic Pivot

At 3–7 with multiple starters sidelined, the Mavericks remain last in the Western Conference. Injuries have piled up, the rotation has thinned, and the urgency surrounding general manager Nico Harrison has intensified.

Paul Pierce believes Dallas should stop waiting for a turnaround.

“Right now if I’m the Dallas Mavericks, I’m looking to trade AD, play to get into the Lottery with this deep draft class coming up,” Pierce said. “And see who I can build with. If I’m Nico.”

The Mavericks acquired Anthony Davis with the expectation of pairing him with Kyrie Irving to support top overall pick Cooper Flagg. Instead, Davis has appeared in just five games, averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Irving remains out until at least the new year following knee surgery.

A roster designed around three stars is now operating without two of them.

A Win the Dallas Mavericks Desperately Needed

Saturday’s victory in Washington was the first time in weeks the Mavericks resembled a connected team.

With five key players — Davis, Irving, Dereck Lively II, Klay Thompson and Dante Exum — unavailable, the Mavericks leaned on Marshall, P.J. Washington, and Flagg to carry the load. Marshall delivered a season-high 30 points, eight rebounds and two steals in a cathartic performance in front of family and friends.

“I know a lot of people out here in the stands,” Marshall said. “I really feel comfortable here.”

That comfort translated to confidence, and the Mavericks fed off it. They outscored the Wizards 33–11 in fast-break points, dominated the paint 66–44 and overcame an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit with defensive stops, pace, and shot creation from unlikely sources.

Washington gave Dallas the lead for good with two free throws at the 4:36 mark, and Marshall’s transition layup off a Cooper Flagg assist pushed the cushion to 104–101. From there, Dallas executed with a calmness it had lacked in recent close games.

“I think it started with our defense,” Jason Kidd said. “We didn’t give up a wide-open three, we rebounded the ball, and in transition we capitalized.”

Backup center Moussa Cisse was essential to that defensive surge, totaling nine rebounds and three blocks — including two highlight denials at the rim against Cam Whitmore.

“He’s playing harder than damn near everybody out there,” Brandon Williams said. “Once you’re playing hard, the game is going to reward you.”

The game rewarded Flagg as well. The rookie finished with 12 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals, influencing the night with pace control, connective passing and decisive drives.

“I’m just trying to impact the game however I can,” Flagg said. “We’ll stay positive and keep moving forward.”

The Cooper Flagg Factor — And the Reality of an 18-Year-Old Carrying the Load

Flagg’s poise stood out even before the Washington win. Through his first 10 games, the 18-year-old has averaged 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists while navigating roles at both forward and point guard.

He has established himself not just as the franchise’s long-term centerpiece — but its most stable contributor during a turbulent opening stretch.

The early numbers have placed him among respectable company for former No. 1 picks, even as Dallas’ record mirrors the rocky starts of rookies like Victor Wembanyama and LeBron James. Klay Thompson recently described Flagg as “competitive, fearless, versatile,” and New Orleans coach Willie Green noted that most teenagers “are more worried about the high school prom than lifting an NBA franchise on their shoulders.”

Flagg, for his part, has embraced the responsibility while remaining grounded.

“I’m 18,” he said earlier this month. “I know what it’s like to be a kid in the stands. Winning or losing doesn’t change how I treat people.”

Dallas now hopes the maturity of its youngest player — and Saturday’s brief spark — can help extend stability into a pivotal four-game homestand that begins Monday against Milwaukee.

Whether that stretch eases the pressure on Harrison or accelerates the conversation about Pierce’s proposed reset remains the question hovering over the remainder of the Mavericks’ season.

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Tags :Anthony DavisBrandon WilliamsCooper FlaggDallas MavericksDereck Lively IIGiannis AntetokounmpoJason KiddKlay ThompsonKyrie IrvingMilwaukee BucksMoussa CisseNaji MarshallNBA NewsNBA RumorsNBA Trade RumorsNico HarrisonP.J. WashingtonPaul Pierce

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