The Dallas Mavericks have suffered a lot lately, losing eight of their previous nine games. Never before has the Mavericks’ greatest need been so straightforward, but so urgent, as now: they simply need enough players to suit up.
The Mavs have recently been at risk of forfeiting since they may not have enough players to finish the season. The Phoenix Suns are directly behind the Mavericks in the standings, so even though some Mavericks are anticipated to return before the end of the regular season, it might not matter. The only silver lining is that Phoenix has been playing below average all season long and has a very difficult run of play ahead of them.
Even if this Mavs season will go down in history, Dallas would be better off taking a more cautious approach for the remainder of the season since it might not be worth it to jeopardize Anthony Davis’ health for a few games right now. This might not be the ideal course of action, but Davis is getting close to recovering from the adductor injury he sustained during his Mavs debut.
Anthony Davis’ comeback is not worth the danger of re-injury.
As a quick reminder, it only took Davis three quarters in a Mavericks suit to suffer a long-term injury, so his return will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated days of the season. The Mavericks just seemed to be a lot older club than they had been prior to the deal, which increased resentment of the incomprehensible Luka Doncic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis will be a piece that Dallas has to handle carefully, as Davis’ injury history is nothing to be joked around with. Even if Davis were to come back for a few games, the Mavs will have to lean on him a lot on an already undermanned team. With Dallas already trapped in trying to decide to sign Kessler Edwards, Brandon Williams, or a different player to a standard deal in April, this is already spelling danger for Davis coming back.
The only relevant reason for Davis to make a serious return potentially for playoff play would be if Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford also return. It’s just more incentive for Davis to suit up and give his full effort. Without Irving, the incentive just went down the drain for any last gasp at a playoff miracle. Irving provides exactly what Davis needs, which is a pick-and-roll maestro, unfortunately, Davis won’t have that when he takes the court once again.
The only positive thing to take away is that Irving said that he would come back better and stronger than ever, and hopefully, that’s true, but watching Davis at 100 percent with fresh legs for next season is a much better option rather than just forcing him in the lineup in a very complicated scenario.
