Anthony Davis can anchor Mavericks' championship dreams

The trade deadline is well and truly underway. Late Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks struck a jaw-dropping deal to send Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Anthony Davis is headlining Dallas' return in the deal. 

Shortly after the trade, ESPN reported that Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison made the move because he believed Davis could provide the defense Dallas needed to win a championship. 

"I believe that defense wins championships," Harrison told ESPN. "I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future."

Davis, 31, is one of the most dominant defenders in the NBA. He's an elite rebounder, shot-blocker, rim protector and can guard multiple positions. He can operate as a drop big, as a weak-side roamer or as part of a switch-defense system. The versatility Davis provides to a frontcourt can't be overstated. 

This season, Davis has an impressive 44.7 defensive field-goal percentage. That number is even more impressive when factoring in that he's contesting an average of 17.1 shots per game, which led the Lakers. He will also be lining up next to Daniel Gafford, allowing him to play in his preferred position of power forward.

There are multiple reasons to be concerned with the return Dallas got for Doncic. After all, Davis is older, injury-prone and has struggled for consistency in recent years. Yet, when he's healthy and in rhythm, he's still a premier talent and a dominant force. 

With Kyrie Irving operating as the primary ball-handler and Klay Thompson providing spacing, Davis can thrive as a defensive-minded glass eater who can dominate in the post on offense. The Mavericks have far better floor spacing than what Davis had in Los Angeles, which should unlock his offensive upside, too. 

The Mavericks are built to win now. Davis plugs a direct need for the franchise while maintaining the team's need for a leading All-Star next to Irving. Losing Doncic is a tough pill to swallow, as is getting back a player six years his senior. However, if Davis can anchor a run toward a championship, the trade will be looked on as a success for Dallas. 

While we wait for the dust to settle, one thing is clear: the Mavericks have drastically improved their defense, which, in turn, should improve their odds of returning to the NBA Finals at the first time of asking. Harrison has staked his reputation (and likely his job) on this trade, so he must be confident that Davis was the missing piece to the team's puzzle.