Anthony Davis missed most of last season in Dallas — now he’s back, healthy, and ready to prove he’s still one of the NBA’s best. MVP run? DPOY campaign? Don’t count him out.
Why Anthony Davis could dominate the NBA in 2025–26 originally appeared on The Sporting News
When the Dallas Mavericks pulled off a midseason blockbuster last year to land Anthony Davis, they envisioned an instant title push. Instead, the plan was derailed as Davis missed most of the second half of last season due to injuries after the trade. The doubters were quick to label him as past his prime, injury-prone, and no longer a top-tier star.
But this season? Anthony Davis is healthy, motivated, and positioned to bring a championship back to the city of Dallas.
Back at His Primary Position
For the first time in years, Davis will open the season playing his natural spot at power forward, with a true center next to him in the Mavericks’ frontcourt. It’s a role he’s publicly said he prefers, allowing him to attack more offensively while conserving energy for defensive dominance.
Sliding back to the 4 means more freedom on offense — mid-range jumpers, pick-and-pop opportunities, and driving lanes — while still unleashing his shot-blocking instincts on defense without absorbing the constant pounding of guarding bigger centers all game.
Still a Top 10 Player
Let’s be clear — Anthony Davis isn’t just “still good.” He’s still a top 10 player in the NBA when healthy. His mix of size, skill, and two-way dominance is rare even among today’s stars. Few players can control a game on both ends the way he can.
Last season before the trade, Davis was averaging near 24 points, 12 rebounds, and over two blocks per game. With the Mavericks building the offense to take advantage of his versatility — and rookie Cooper Flagg taking some scoring pressure off — Davis is set for an MVP-caliber campaign.
MVP & DPOY Potential
If the numbers don’t earn him MVP consideration, his defense just might. Davis’s length, timing, and mobility make him a nightmare for opposing offenses. With the right scheme and help around him, there’s a very real path for him to be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.
The Mavericks are counting on him to anchor their defense and be the go-to scoring option late in games — a recipe for awards-season buzz if he delivers.
The Season to Prove Everyone Wrong
Anthony Davis has heard it all — the injuries, the skepticism, the whispers that he’s no longer a franchise cornerstone. This season, back at his preferred position and fully healthy, he has the perfect setup to prove otherwise.
The Mavericks made their move last year. Now it’s Davis’s turn to make the gamble pay off — and in the process, he might just take home some hardware.
Category: Basketball
