The Dallas Mavericks made headlines in the NBA on Feb. 1 when they traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Unfortunately, the power forward/center was immediately injured, and he had to sit down for a few weeks.

As part of his rehabilitation, the Mavericks sent Davis to the NBA G League as a Texas Legends affiliate.

Anthony Davis to Texas Legends

Mavericks Assign Anthony Davis to NBA G League's Texas Legends Mavericks Assign Anthony Davis to NBA G League's Texas Legends
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

As confirmed by the NBA, the Mavs forward will have a five-on-five work with the affiliates of the Texas Legends, the Dallas G-League team.

When the Mavericks traded for Davis, they were counting on him to replace Doncic and carry the team to a solid playoff run. That has not been the case with Davis' stint in Dallas, though. He had a stellar debut on Feb. 8 against the Houston Rockets, but it was cut short when he strained an adductor in the third quarter.

Davis was initially optimistic about his injury, only to find out later that the strain was worse than what was originally thought, keeping him out of action for weeks.

With his G-League stint, the management expects him to play as soon as this week. There's a chance that he could be available for the upcoming games against the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers.

Davis' Injury Has Become a Disaster For Dallas

Without Anthony Davis, the Mavericks have fallen apart, losing 10 of their last 12 games with the playoffs approaching just one month away. The team's status has reached critical levels where they are on the verge of losing games because their roster is already thin.

Can the Mavericks Afford to Risk Davis' Come Back?

Although Davis' return would certainly be a lift to the struggling Mavericks, it is a high-risk move, according to The Smoking Cuban.

Adductor injuries are finicky, and rushing back too soon would risk a worse setback—potentially needing surgery. Not only would that ruin his season, but it would also put his offseason training in jeopardy, which is important for his long-term career in Dallas.

With Davis' injury history, the Mavericks need to exercise some restraint in bringing him back too quickly.

Another concern is the team's future. If Davis returns and helps the Mavericks win a few games, it could hurt their draft lottery odds.

With Kyrie Irving also sidelined, the team has little hope of making a deep playoff run, making a full rebuild a more strategic move. Prioritizing Davis' long-term health and securing a high draft pick might be the best path forward instead of chasing short-term success.

The Mavericks' Predicament: Short-Term Victory vs. Long-Term Prospects

Dallas is between a rock and a hard place now. Davis wants to come back, and the team would rather make him happy, but they have to think about the possible long-term implications. Hurrying him back might get him hurt again, and the franchise will be in an even more difficult spot.

NBA insider Marc Stein has indicated that the Mavericks are still deliberating, debating whether or not to play Davis. No matter what they decide, the consequences will be felt for years to come.

The Luka Doncic trade already appears to be one of the worst franchise decisions ever—and now Dallas' treatment of Davis' injury may set their future.