7 Player Mock Trade Pairs Anthony Davis and James Harden in Blockbuster Move Elevating East Team to NBA Finals Ceiling

The Eastern Conference team will be keeping a close eye on potential trade candidates like Anthony Davis and James Harden over the next two months before the February deadline. While the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks look like the clear favorites, others will feel they have a puncher’s chance.

Only two games separate the third and ninth-best records in the conference. As far as the playoffs go, anything can go down in a knockout situation. The Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls could be among the teams engaged in pursuing roster upgrades to improve their chances of a surprise run.

The Hawks, in particular, might be more inclined to make a blockbuster trade or two after a 14-11 run with star Trae Young playing only five games. They have a solid young core in place with Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Walker-Alexander, Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu.

They are malleable assets who can fit next to anyone, especially someone like Anthony Davis and James Harden. The duo would bring significant experience to the quartet. It’s beneficial for Davis and Harden as well, as they don’t have to exhaust themselves as much in the regular season, preserving their ability to make waves in the playoffs.

Here’s a blockbuster mock trade involving seven players, which sends Anthony Davis and James Harden to the Atlanta Hawks.

Hawks acquire Anthony Davis, James Harden in a blockbuster NBA mock trade

This seismic trade would naturally involve three teams, as Anthony Davis and James Harden are on different rosters. Interestingly, the Hawks appear to have players that could entice the Mavericks and Clippers in a trade for their stars.

Here’s the mock proposal:

Hawks acquire

• Anthony Davis
• James Harden
• 2029 first-round pick (top-four protected via PHI from Clippers)

Mavericks acquire

• Kristaps Porzingis
• Bogdan Bogdanovic
• Kris Dunn
• 2026 first-round pick (via SAS from Hawks
• 2030 second-round pick (via Hawks)
• 2032 second-round pick (via Hawks)

Clippers acquire

• Trae Young
• Zaccharie Risaacher

Why the Hawks do it

The Hawks add two All-Star-caliber talents, who put them in the conversation as one of the Eastern Conference favorites, if not the favorite.

Anthony Davis has been injury-prone over the past eight months, but before that, he was one of the healthiest players in the NBA for two consecutive years. When healthy, he would instantly help them in areas where they struggle the most.

Davis elevates their interior defense with his rebounding and shot-blocking ability. Atlanta ranks 25th in rebounds per game at 31.8 and 23rd in offensive rebounds, allowing 12.0 per contest. The Hawks’ opponents are converting 65.1% chances five feet or closer to the rim, which ranks 19th.

Meanwhile, James Harden is playing some of his best basketball since he turned 30. He made the All-Star game last year, averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 assists. This year, he’s averaging 26.8 ppg and 8.3 apg. The Hawks already lead the league in apg with 30.8.

Their floor would rise significantly if they add Harden to their offense, further opening things up for others. It never hurts to add another scoring threat, either. Harden won’t have to be the primary scorer on this team, which makes him even more efficient as an offensive engine.

The Hawks are currently 15th on offense with a 114.8 rating, and Harden alone would put them in the top 10. With Davis, it could even flirt with a top-five ceiling.

Trading Trae Young and even its 2023 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risaacher won’t be that difficult for Atlanta, which now has Jalen Johnson to build around. Young has negative trade value, while Risaacher’s numbers have dipped in his sophomore year. At best, he’s showing a top-end role player ceiling.

Flipping the duo for win-now pieces could be an enticing prospect.

Why the Mavericks do it

The Mavericks are fighting to return to the playoffs for the second year in a row, but they seem likely to fall short again. Despite a marginal improvement of four wins in two games since Anthony Davis returned from a 14-game absence, Dallas isn’t drastically going to make a run at a top-six finish.

Even if it gets to the playoffs, a first-round exit is the likeliest outcome. Davis’ value isn’t projected to improve. Nevertheless, the least the Mavericks can do is get his contract off their books. At this point, the return won’t be lucrative, but it won’t be worse than what it could be if they wait this out.

Reuniting with Kristaps Porzingis for a few months won’t harm the Mavericks much. If anything, they can even consider him a long-term piece due to his floor spacing ability, which can maximize Cooper Flagg in the frontcourt. Dallas can bring him back on a more team-friendly extension.

Meanwhile, they add veterans Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn, who would be on expiring contracts next season for a combined sum of roughly $22 million. If anything, Dallas will improve its guard depth momentarily.

Why the Clippers do it

The Clippers are headed nowhere with no lucrative picks coming their way or young players to build around once this season ends. They are 14th in the West with a 6-18 record. They would be better off moving James Harden for a star like Trae Young, who is young and talented but has a low market value.

Zachaarie Risaacher would be a nice addition as a 20-year-old prospect who can take his time to develop over the next few years and maybe even become a long-term piece as LA enters a new era.

Moving on from Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kris Dunn’s contracts also helps LA’s books and makes its roster younger around Kawhi Leonard, who likely is untradable.