Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis is out tonight against the Dallas Mavericks due to a left finger sprain. This absence, coupled with other injuries on both sides, shifts the focus to depth and execution rather than star power.

Around 14 months ago, Anthony Davis was atop the league. He was the leading candidate for the MVP Award. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to No. 2 in the Western Conference. LeBron James was calling the purple and gold Davis‘ team.

Anthony Davis is expected to miss extended time with a hand injury, but the Mavericks are still looking to trade him.

Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis will be sidelined about six weeks in his latest injury absence, although the 10-time All-Star won’t need surgery to repair ligament damage in his left hand.

Anthony Davis is expected to miss the remainder of the Mavericks’ schedule leading into the All-Star break. Dallas resumes play Feb. 20 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, though no firm target date has been established for Davis’ return to game action.

The NBA trade market has been slow to develop this year. While there was a big move — Trae Young is a Wizard — this has generally moved slowly. We are now just more than a week away from the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline and things are calm.