Anthony Davis trade has Dyson's Hawks 'very intrigued'

• Talks surrounding an Anthony Davis trade has increased since the Dallas Mavericks parted ways with Nico Harrison
• The Golden State Warriors are also reportedly interested in acquiring Davis, according to Chris Haynes
• A deal with the Hawks would NOT include Dyson Daniels, NBA sources told basketball.com.au

First it was Josh Giddey's Chicago Bulls but now it could by Dyson Daniels' Atlanta Hawks who are in the market for a potential blockbuster trade to acquire Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks.

Senior NBA Insider of NBA on Prime Chris Haynes reported the Hawks are "very intrigued" by the possibility of trading for the 10-time All-Star big man if the Mavericks, who are currently sitting outside the play-in at 11th spot in the Western Conference, were to make him available.

"Sources tell me the Atlanta Hawks remain very intrigued with the possibility of acquiring Anthony Davis via a trade," Haynes said on NBA on Prime's Nightcap show on December 26 (US time).

"Now the Hawks, out of all the suitors who are interested... they possess a pretty attractive asset package that can make things interesting.

"If you look at where AD is at in his career, he has this season and next season left and after that he can become a free agent with a player option, so any teams that try and acquire him will have to really consider giving him an extension.

"With that being said, if a deal was able to materialise between the Hawks and the Mavericks, I was told it would not involve Trae Young. Dallas would likely want expiring deals, young assets and picks and probably to include the No.1 pick from last season in Zaccharie Risacher.

"The Hawks and Dallas, that's something to definitely monitor looking ahead to the trade deadline."

Now just take a breathe Aussies NBA fans and fans of last season's Most Improved Player, Dyson Daniels will not be part of the deal despite Haynes reporting the trade would not include Young. The four-year, $100 million extension Daniels signed during the offseason makes one of the best defensive players in the league almost impossible to trade this season.

With the Mavericks looking to acquire expiring contracts on top of Risacher, it seems Kristaps Porzingis ($30 million) and sharpshooter Luke Kennard ($11 million) could be on the move - if a deal was to come to fruition - as both are on the last year of their respective contracts.

The pair on top of Risacher would be enough to match the contract of Davis, who is on $54 million this season before it increases to $58 million next season, with the 2020 NBA champion having a player option for $62 million for 2027-28.

Atlanta also have two first-round picks in the 2026 draft but could look to attempt to retain one of those with the draft class stacked with potential future stars.

Davis' injury issues could be a gamble the Hawks are willing to take as well with the franchise's current centre in Porzingis only playing 13 games this season due to a number of problems, including illness and injury.

It would be a win-now move for Atlanta, now 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 15-17 record, with Quin Snyder's roster already boasting emerging talents such as Daniels and Jalen Johnson, who is in the midst of a breakout season and on the verge of becoming a superstar in the league.

Acquiring Davis would also provide a major boost for Atlanta's defence, which now sits 18th in the league, giving the Hawks a shot-blocking presence alongside the likes of Daniels - a finalist for last season's Defensive Player of the Year - but also some protection behind defensive liabilities like Young.

After Atlanta showed they were a playoff team and a much-improved defensive team without Young, bringing Davis into the fold may be able to allow the star point guard the ability to shine without making his defensive weaknesses so evident.

And with the Hawks just three games away from fourth place, making a blockbuster move that may be the ultimate gamble, could be what propels Atlanta to become an Eastern Conference title contender.