Anthony Davis can make Mavericks trade far less painful with one crucial fix

The Dallas Mavericks have been under fire from the national media and fans ever since they decided to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis on February 1, and while Dallas undoubtedly should've netted more of a return for Doncic, Davis has the chance to help swing this trade more in the Mavericks' direction by improving as a jump shooter next season.

The Mavericks' Doncic-Davis trade could go down as one of the worst trades in sports history, depending on how the rest of Doncic and Davis' careers go, but it's undeniable that Davis still remains one of the best bigs in the NBA. His defense, combined with his dominant face-up game, makes him a monster down low on both ends of the floor, but his jump shot is one part of his game that often makes or breaks his overall control of the game and how effective he can be.

Davis is still an elite big man when his jumper isn't falling, as his help-side defense, low-post offense, and rebounding help him be an anchor for his team on both ends of the floor, but he turns into one of the best players in the NBA when he can consistently knock down threes and mid-range jumpers. There are no holes in his game when he can keep the defense honest by being an effective 3-point and mid-range shooter, and Mavericks fans will be hoping to see this version of Davis soon.

Dallas' fate may rest on Anthony Davis' jump shot

We saw this during the 2020 NBA Playoffs when he helped lead the Lakers to an NBA Finals win, and in November of last season. He looked unstoppable in both instances, and his jumper truly changes everything for him. If Davis can be a consistent shooter next season, the Mavs will be one of the deadliest teams in the NBA.

It's already known that the Mavs' defense will be elite with Davis at the epicenter, and with Kyrie Irving set to miss a large chunk of next season with a torn ACL, they are going to need Davis to be excellent on offense as well. This isn't to say that Davis typically isn't good offensively, as he averages over 24 points per game for his career on 52-percent shooting, but his lack of a killer jump shot has definitely held him back some in comparison to some of his peers.

Over the past five years, Davis has failed to shoot above 30 percent from downtown over the course of an entire season, and this will need to change with him set to play plenty of power forward in Dallas next season. Davis has pleaded to play the majority of his minutes at the four for years, and with the Mavericks having Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford at the five, they are going to grant him this wish.

Spacing was a nightmare at the end of the 2024-25 season for Dallas, and them returning to a respectable level in this area will rest on Davis' shoulders. They're going to need him to step up as a shooter to help open up the paint for everyone else, and if he can take a dramatic jump as a 3-point shooter, that will likely mean that he will be a top MVP candidate when it's all said and done.

All eyes are set to be on Dallas next season as Cooper Flagg embarks on his rookie year, and Davis is one player who will have some pressure to perform at a high level. Davis' first season with the Mavs didn't go according to plan, largely due to injuries to himself and those around him, and they need him to be great to return to being contenders in a loaded Western Conference.

Dallas can't afford a mediocre season from Davis by his standards, and if his jumper is falling, that will be nearly impossible. His jump shot doesn't just hold the keys to Dallas making the playoffs next season; it could be the difference between the Mavericks winning the NBA Finals one day and potentially swinging the Doncic trade more in their direction.

Jamal Adams Expresses Deep Gratitude for Pete Carroll Giving Him Another Shot

In a heartfelt display of gratitude, Jamal Adams has opened up about the special bond he shares with Pete Carroll, calling out the Seahawks head coach for giving him another shot after his rocky start with the team. The friendship and trust between the two have become one of the most talked-about relationships in the NFL, with Adams praising Carroll for being a constant source of support and faith throughout his career.

“Coach Pete has always had my back,” Adams shared in a recent interview. “When a lot of people counted me out, he was the one who believed in me, and that means everything. I’ll be forever grateful for the second chance he gave me to prove myself.”

Adams, who has faced his fair share of challenges and criticism over the years, has found a sense of renewed confidence in Carroll’s system. Under Carroll’s leadership, Adams has flourished into one of the top safeties in the league, and their tight-knit relationship has been crucial in his journey.

The bond between Carroll and Adams speaks volumes about the trust and mutual respect between coach and player, a dynamic that has helped the Seahawks overcome numerous obstacles. Carroll’s ability to see past the media narrative and offer Adams a chance to truly thrive has set a powerful example of what belief and support can do for an athlete’s mindset.

As Adams continues to shine on the field, his relationship with Carroll stands as a reminder of how important faith and mentorship are in shaping a player’s career. With both Carroll and Adams in sync, the Seahawks are poised to make waves—and the Carroll-Adams connection remains a powerful force in their success.

Kellen Moore Speaks Out: Saints Face Major Secondary Crisis After Latest Injury!

The New Orleans Saints are facing a critical situation in their defense after another key injury left them with a massive hole in their secondary. Kellen Moore, the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t mince words when commenting on the Saints’ vulnerable position following the injury, pointing out that the team’s secondary could be exposed moving forward.

“It’s a huge blow for the Saints,” Moore said in a recent interview. “When you lose a player of that caliber in the secondary, it changes everything. You’re facing teams with explosive offenses, and now the Saints are going to have to adjust their whole defensive game plan.”

The Saints' secondary, which has already been inconsistent at times, now faces the daunting task of filling the void left by the injury. Moore’s comments come at a time when the team is already struggling to maintain defensive consistency against high-powered offenses.

While the Saints still have a solid defensive line, Moore highlighted that their ability to handle top-tier quarterbacks and wide receivers will now be more difficult than ever. The injury could prove to be a game-changer in the Saints’ defensive scheme, and it’s unclear how they’ll manage in the coming weeks.

“Defenses are built from the back end up, and the secondary is where everything starts,” Moore continued. “The Saints have some work to do to make up for this loss, and it won’t be easy.”

As the Saints prepare for the rest of the season, all eyes will be on their secondary. Can they fill the gap and continue their playoff push, or will this injury be the undoing of their defense?