Anthony Davis Could Shock The NBA World As Mavericks’ New Superstar With MVP Potential Following Luka Trade And Kyrie’s Injury
Anthony Davis isn’t just the new face of the Dallas Mavericks, he’s got a real shot to be the MVP nobody saw coming. Since the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davis, the NBA landscape has shifted in ways that nobody could have predicted. For years, Davis has been seen as one of the most talented big men in the game, but he often operated in the shadows of others, whether as LeBron James’ co-star in Los Angeles or during his New Orleans Pelicans tenure where expectations never matched reality. Now, in Dallas, the situation is entirely different. He is the unquestioned No. 1 option, the centerpiece of a team with legitimate championship aspirations, and the player tasked with filling a void that few thought would ever exist in Dallas—the post-Luka era.
The Mavericks didn’t just take a risk by trading Luka, they completely redefined their identity. General manager Nico Harrison and team owner Mark Cuban knew that relying on a single superstar was unsustainable, and as incredible as Luka was, the franchise needed a new trajectory. In Davis, they found not just a star but someone with a unique skill set who could immediately transform the team’s style of play. Unlike Luka, who thrived in heliocentric offense with the ball constantly in his hands, Davis provides dominance on both ends of the floor. He is a defensive anchor who can change games in the paint while also giving Dallas the versatility to run offense through the post, the pick-and-roll, or even stretch opportunities from mid-range.
With Kyrie Irving sidelined until at least January due to injury, Davis faces the challenge—and opportunity—of carrying the team in both scoring and leadership. For the first time since his days as “The Brow” in New Orleans, he will have the chance to prove that he can be the focal point of an elite team’s offense and still deliver wins. Critics often point to Davis’ injury history as the reason he has not been considered a serious MVP candidate in years past. However, if he stays healthy, the situation in Dallas positions him perfectly to mount a case for the award.
The addition of Cooper Flagg, the rookie phenom, only makes this story more intriguing. Flagg is viewed as one of the most talented two-way prospects in recent memory, and his defensive instincts combined with his length make him the perfect complementary piece to Davis. What makes this partnership particularly exciting is that Flagg does not need to dominate the ball to impact games. Instead, he thrives on defensive disruption, athletic finishing, and intelligent cutting—all elements that amplify Davis’ skill set rather than take away from it. Together, they could create the foundation for a defensive juggernaut, the kind of team that overwhelms opponents at the rim while still being able to generate efficient offense.
The Western Conference is stacked, as it always is, with teams like Denver, Golden State, Phoenix, and even Luka’s new Lakers squad expected to compete for top seeds. But that is precisely why Davis’ MVP campaign feels both improbable and exciting. At +10000 odds, he is considered a longshot by sportsbooks, yet that number only underlines the unique narrative at play. MVP races are never purely about numbers; they are about storylines, perception, and the sense that a player is carrying his team to greatness. If Dallas emerges as a top-three seed while Kyrie is out and Davis dominates both offensively and defensively, his case will be undeniable.
For years, Davis has been criticized for not stepping into the spotlight the way his talent suggests he should. He has always been seen as an elite second option rather than “the guy.” But this season provides him with the rare chance to reshape his legacy. He has the backing of a passionate fan base desperate for a new hero, a roster built around his strengths, and a rookie sidekick who seems tailor-made to complement his game. If ever there was a season where Anthony Davis could rewrite the narrative and force MVP voters to take notice, this is it.
The Mavericks’ offense will look dramatically different with Davis at the helm. Instead of the isolation-heavy style that defined Luka’s reign, Dallas can now run a more fluid, balanced attack. Davis’ ability to post up, hit mid-range jumpers, and serve as a lob threat opens up opportunities for role players and shooters. More importantly, his defensive presence instantly raises the team’s ceiling. He has the potential to win Defensive Player of the Year and MVP in the same season, something only a handful of players in NBA history have managed. That dual impact is what separates him from other candidates.
Of course, the road won’t be easy. Voters are often hesitant to embrace big men as MVPs unless their dominance is overwhelming. Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid have recently broken that barrier, but both have playmaking styles that fit more neatly into the modern narrative of what an MVP looks like. Davis, on the other hand, will need to win through sheer force—block shots, dominate the glass, and score efficiently while staying on the floor for 70+ games. His biggest obstacle has always been availability, but if he can stay healthy, he could force the league to acknowledge his greatness.
The Mavericks’ success will also depend on the development of their supporting cast. Beyond Flagg, players like Josh Green, Dereck Lively II, and Tim Hardaway Jr. will need to step up in Kyrie’s absence. Davis can anchor the team, but championship runs require depth and reliability across the roster. The encouraging factor is that Davis doesn’t need to do everything himself. He simply needs to set the tone, dominate defensively, and put up consistent scoring numbers while Dallas racks up wins. The rest will follow naturally.
What makes this situation particularly fascinating is the irony of the trade that brought Davis to Dallas. Luka Dončić was supposed to be the Maverick for life, the player who would bring Dallas back to the top of the NBA mountain. But basketball is unpredictable, and sometimes the boldest moves lead to the biggest rewards. In this case, Davis is not just filling Luka’s shoes; he’s carving out a completely new identity for the franchise. Dallas may not play the same style, but with Davis in charge, they could be just as dangerous, if not more balanced, than ever before.
MVP voters love a redemption story, and Davis’ narrative fits perfectly. A player written off as injury-prone, a co-star rather than a star, now given a chance to prove everyone wrong. If he leads Dallas to a top record, anchors the best defense in the league, and delivers clutch performances, he could become the most surprising MVP in recent memory.
The Mavericks’ faithful fans are already buying into the idea. Social media is filled with clips of Davis in a Mavericks jersey, dominating on both ends and looking rejuvenated in his new role. Dallas has always loved its stars, from Dirk Nowitzki to Luka, and Davis has the chance to join that lineage. More importantly, he has the chance to do something neither Dirk nor Luka ever did—win MVP in a Mavericks uniform.
At the end of the day, the odds don’t matter. What matters is the opportunity, the narrative, and the performance. Anthony Davis has all three lined up in front of him. The Mavericks have bet their future on his ability to deliver, and if he does, the entire NBA will have to reckon with a new reality. Anthony Davis, the face of the Dallas Mavericks, and potentially, the MVP nobody saw coming.
