NBA Trade Rumors: Charles Barkley Urges Mavericks to Deal Anthony Davis as Trouble Soars After Latest Injury Blow

The Dallas Mavericks tasted a Christmas Day loss to the Golden State Warriors, 126-116, for their third defeat in their last four games. Notably, Dallas star Anthony Davis only logged 11 minutes after leaving the game in the second quarter with groin spasms.

NBA legend and television analyst Charles Barkley aired his frustrations about Davis' injury. In the ESPN broadcast, Barkley suggested that the Mavericks should trade away Davis and hand the keys to their rookie Cooper Flagg, considering the 10-time All-Star's injury-riddled history.

“What are the Mavs going to do? They are in trouble now," Barkley said. "Because it’s clear to me that Anthony Davis, as much as we like him and love him as a player, he’s never going to be healthy...They got to make a decision.”

When asked what he would do, Barkley said he would move on and let Flagg run the show.

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“I think I might move on . . . If I was running the team I’d say, ‘You know what? It’s Cooper’s team now.’”

Flagg led the Mavericks in the loss with 27 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field, along with six rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, Davis finished with just three points and three rebounds.

Davis was part of the blockbuster deal that brought former Mavericks star Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers.

Groin issues have been bothering Davis this season. He has only appeared in 15 games so far, averaging 21.7 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, Flagg has shrugged off early rookie jitters, putting up 19.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.

The Mavericks are currently in the 11th seed with a 12-20 record.

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Cooper Flagg gets candid on Anthony Davis' inability to stay on the floor

After their loss to the Warriors, Cooper Flagg opened up about losing Anthony Davis early in the game, admitting that the team is better with the injured star on the floor, while preaching for a next-man-up mentality among his teammates.

“Obviously, it’s really unfortunate for us,” Flagg said. “I feel like we’re a better team on the court when he’s playing at his best. Obviously, tough but we got (to have) next man up mentality and fill the hole the best we can.”

With numerous veteran assets on their roster, the Mavericks are also expected to be sellers in the trade market ahead of the deadline in February.

Until then, the team is expected to ride with Flagg and Davis on the court as they look to climb up the Western Conference standings in the next few months.

Edited by Rob Andrew Lo