Mavs Fire Nico

[Who]

This is an opportunity for the Celtics.

Nico traded for Davis, and wasn't going to trade him on principle and ego. Now that he's gone, everything is a possibility.

The Mavs lucked into Flagg. Now they can rebuild around Flagg and his timeline. They already have Gafford and Lively as young bigs that can play next to Flagg.

It makes a lot of sense for the Mavs to start shopping Davis now and look to retool around Flagg. I think it makes sense for them to shop Irving too at some point.

The Celtics could put together a decent trade package for Davis, if he was willing to play for Boston. He's the exact type of player that would fit really well next to Brown and Tatum.

If the Celtics could keep one of Pritchard-White-Simons, along with some of their wings, they could retool more quickly than we previously thought.

I would pass on Davis, but I would consider Lively or Gafford if the Mavs decide to do something. Simons + pick(s) for either work?

Davis is one of my least favorite players in the NBA, but there is no denying his ceiling and how he makes basketball teams better.

We already had one unreliable big who struggled with injuries recently. If Davis was willing to fit into the pecking order correctly and be a DMVP player, he would have a much more significant impact than Gafford or Lively.

My main thing is, idk if Dallas would do it for just Simons + PP + picks, and I don't want to give up White or Jaylen. Plus, AD himself is nowadays very injury prone

White + Simons + picks is not enough to land Davis.  Even with his age and contract he holds more value than that.

This is an appeal to "experts," but these trades are roughly the same value, if not less, than White+Simons.

https://www.theringer.com/2025/11/12/nba/anthony-davis-trade-rumors-updates-dallas-mavericks

I don't understand why Dallas would want D White.

If they are trading AD, they are likely trading for youth and rebuilding around Cooper Flagg.

If they not trading for youth, why is D White (31yo) more valuable to their team than AD (32yo)?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This is an opportunity for the Celtics.

Nico traded for Davis, and wasn't going to trade him on principle and ego. Now that he's gone, everything is a possibility.

The Mavs lucked into Flagg. Now they can rebuild around Flagg and his timeline. They already have Gafford and Lively as young bigs that can play next to Flagg.

It makes a lot of sense for the Mavs to start shopping Davis now and look to retool around Flagg. I think it makes sense for them to shop Irving too at some point.

The Celtics could put together a decent trade package for Davis, if he was willing to play for Boston. He's the exact type of player that would fit really well next to Brown and Tatum.

If the Celtics could keep one of Pritchard-White-Simons, along with some of their wings, they could retool more quickly than we previously thought.

I would pass on Davis, but I would consider Lively or Gafford if the Mavs decide to do something. Simons + pick(s) for either work?

Davis is one of my least favorite players in the NBA, but there is no denying his ceiling and how he makes basketball teams better.

We already had one unreliable big who struggled with injuries recently. If Davis was willing to fit into the pecking order correctly and be a DMVP player, he would have a much more significant impact than Gafford or Lively.

My main thing is, idk if Dallas would do it for just Simons + PP + picks, and I don't want to give up White or Jaylen. Plus, AD himself is nowadays very injury prone

White + Simons + picks is not enough to land Davis.  Even with his age and contract he holds more value than that.

This is an appeal to "experts," but these trades are roughly the same value, if not less, than White+Simons.

https://www.theringer.com/2025/11/12/nba/anthony-davis-trade-rumors-updates-dallas-mavericks

I don't understand why Dallas would want D White.

If they are trading AD, they are likely trading for youth and rebuilding around Cooper Flagg.

If they not trading for youth, why is D White (31yo) more valuable to their team than AD (32yo)?

First because he balances their roster better. They'd still have 4 good front court players, but now they'd have a really high level two-way guard. They do not have that currently.

But I'd guess they'd want to flip White for a Bridges-like package instead to a third team. Maybe they could get Podz and Kuminga from the Warriors. Maybe they could get FVV and Reed Shepherd from the Rockets.

[Who]

First because he balances their roster better. They'd still have 4 good front court players, but now they'd have a really high level two-way guard. They do not have that currently.

You like the Mavs better with D-White than AD? Is it a better team with D-White than AD?

G: Kyrie, D Russell / A Simons / Brandon Williams
G: D White, Klay
F: Cooper Flagg, Max Christie
F: PJ Washington, Naji Marshall
C: D Lively, D Gafford

vs

G: Kyrie, D Russell / Brandon Williams
G: Klay, Max Christie
F: Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall
F: AD, PJ Washington
C: D Lively, D Gafford

[Who]

https://www.theringer.com/2025/11/12/nba/anthony-davis-trade-rumors-updates-dallas-mavericks

(1) Another trade that might be interesting with Sacramento is a swap of AD for D Sabonis. I wouldn't do it if I were Dallas but if they want a change ... Sabonis would be a good fit at center next to Cooper Flagg. A high post offensive center. You can run your offense through him. Kyrie at PG. Cooper as their creative wing / forward. Dallas have a bunch of defensive forwards to help cover D Sabonis' weaknesses.

Make a 2nd trade that sends D Lively or D Gafford to another team for a young / prime SG. Replace Klay.

-------------------

Wow, those trade ideas in that article have Dallas getting little to no value back for AD. I think that is wrong. He is a very talented player. Not a has-been. Not a locker room problem. A talented two way big man. Dallas will get better offers than those. Much better offers.

[Moranis]

I'll say again, if Derrick White has the value in trade of what NY paid for Bridges, then Derrick White would have already been traded.  White doesn't have that value and never has. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I'll say again, if Derrick White has the value in trade of what NY paid for Bridges, then Derrick White would have already been traded.  White doesn't have that value and never has.

In fairness, I don't think Bridges had that trade value of Bridges either until New York overpaid for him.

But I still think something like that, or OG's trade package is reasonable for him.

Maybe he hasn't been traded because the Celtics like him and don't want to trade him?

[Celtics4ever]

I'll say again, if Derrick White has the value in trade of what NY paid for Bridges, then Derrick White would have already been traded.  White doesn't have that value and never has.

I don't even think he will get Desmond Bane level haul either.  NYC is desperate, they always are, and always will be.....

[johnnygreen]

I can't imagine the Celtics having any interest in Anthony Davis, who is eligible for another max extension in the off-season. To me, it's a salary cap issue, rather than a player issue.

[Moranis]

I'll say again, if Derrick White has the value in trade of what NY paid for Bridges, then Derrick White would have already been traded.  White doesn't have that value and never has.

In fairness, I don't think Bridges had that trade value of Bridges either until New York overpaid for him.

But I still think something like that, or OG's trade package is reasonable for him.

Maybe he hasn't been traded because the Celtics like him and don't want to trade him?

White is 31 and has never been more than at best the 4th best player on a team, until this year and he isn't performing.  He isnt as good as Bridges.  OG (along with Flynn and Achiwa) got traded for Barrett, Quickley,  and a 2nd.  White may have value like that, but 2 ok starter type players isnt exactly great value.

This board has consistently overrated Derrick White.  He is a good player but isnt great at anything.  He is versatile and can play multiple positions but he is a 4th or 5th starter type player. Those guys have a lot of value to the team they are on, but not a lot of value in trade.  Like if Boston could get Sheppard (and VanVleet for dollars) for him, they should do it.  Even if they can't get Sheppard of they could get Okogie and a couple of future 1st, they should do it. 

[Vermont Green]

I am not sure if this site or anyone is overrating Derrick White.  He is a good player.  Was selected to the Olympic team.  He was huge for BOS the last couple of seasons.  I think Bane and Bridges are more overrated.  The trade packages for each of them indicates to me that at least ORL and NYC overrated them as players.

I am not looking to trade Derrick White and I doubt that BOS is either.  That doesn't mean you can't speculate on his trade value.  I think White has been better the last couple of seasons than either Bane or Bridges.  They are all close, but I give White a slight edge.  Aren't all 3 scoring about 15 pts when on a good team?  But White with much better defense?

On a bad team, or at least a middle of the road team, Bane and Bridges were able to score more, so far White is holding steady, but much less efficient.  Not sure what that means.  And Bane may turn it around in ORL, he is only 10 games or so in.  But Bridges is what he has been for NYK, a solid player, but not better than White.