Dirk Calls Mavericks Anthony Davis Return Meager

Dirk Nowitzki said he was "a little disappointed" by Dallas' return in the Anthony Davis trade. The Mavericks got Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, first-round picks in 2026 and 2030 and three second-rounders. With Davis limited to 20 games and likely to be shut down, his trade value was low, so Dallas accepted modest pieces as it pivots to build around rookie Cooper Flagg and close the chapter on the Luka Dončić era. Merlin sees a pragmatic if unspectacular move. As Dirk put it, "there's not a lot that came back." Middleton and Tyus Jones offer veteran steadiness and the picks could fuel a rebuild, but Dallas traded star juice for long term flexibility. The club prioritized clarity and a new plan, and now the front office must prove the vision.