Mavs' Anthony Davis Has Perfectly Clear Case for Long-Shot MVP Candidacy

Aug 14, 2025 7:51 AM EDT

With Anthony Davis currently sitting at +10000 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook to win the 2025-26 NBA MVP award, the Dallas Mavericks’ newest superstar represents one of the most intriguing longshot bets in basketball. But don’t let those odds fool you, the stars are aligning perfectly for Davis to make a serious run at his first MVP trophy.

Following the shocking February trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davis, the 10-time All-Star finds himself in an unprecedented position. For the first time in his career, Davis will be the undisputed No. 1 option on a team with legitimate championship aspirations.

The opportunity for Davis to showcase his MVP ability has only grown larger with Kyrie Irving’s devastating ACL tear suffered in March against the Sacramento Kings. Irving is expected to miss significant time, potentially not returning until January 2026, which means Davis will carry the offensive load for a substantial portion of the season. Without Irving, who was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists before his injury, the Mavericks will rely heavily on Davis to be their primary creator and scorer. This presents the exact scenario MVP voters love to see — a superstar carrying his team to success against all odds.

With Irving previously being considered the emotional leader of the franchise, that responsibility now shifts squarely to Davis’ shoulders.

Perhaps the most compelling subplot to Davis’ MVP case is the arrival of Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 pick who was selected by Dallas in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-8, 221-pound forward won multiple national player of the year honors at Duke, averaging 19.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals. The pairing of Davis and Flagg could prove to be the perfect complement for an MVP campaign. Flagg’s two-way abilities and basketball IQ make him the ideal partner for Davis, as the rookie brings both talent and intangibles that will enhance the team’s culture.

Flagg’s arrival gives Davis the ideal running mate — a versatile forward who can handle multiple responsibilities while allowing Davis to focus on dominating both ends of the floor. The rookie’s ability to contribute immediately means Davis won’t have to carry the entire burden, but he’ll still be the clear alpha that MVP voters love to reward.

The Mavericks’ front office has emphasized that defense wins championships, and this defensive identity could be the key to Davis’ MVP case, especially if Dallas can establish itself as a top-four or top-five seed in the competitive Western Conference. Davis has always been elite defensively, and with a team built around his two-way excellence, he could finally receive the recognition that has eluded him throughout his career. Davis hasn’t received serious MVP consideration since his first season with the Lakers, finishing sixth in voting in 2019-20. His highest finish was third in 2017-18.

The narrative writes itself: a former No. 1 pick who helped deliver a championship to Los Angeles, now landing in Dallas and immediately transforming the Mavericks into a defensive juggernaut while carrying the offensive burden. Davis now has the ball in his hands with the green light to dominate, supported by a rookie phenom who can contribute immediately without overshadowing the veteran’s leadership role.