Forget whether or not the Dallas Mavericks should bring Anthony Davis back this season. The 32-year-old star, acquired in the still-mind-boggling Luka Donćić trade, is ramping up for a return, and he's "likely" to be back in the lineup at some point in the next week,

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Davis is in “increasingly strong contention” to make his return from injury during the Mavericks' upcoming road stretch among Eastern Conference teams. Stein added that a particular game for Davis' return hasn’t been locked in.

Anthony Davis is "very eager" to get back on the court for the Dallas Mavericks, which could happen next week. Davis has been sidelined since straining his adductor on Feb. 8 — his one game as a Maverick since the shocking trade that sent him to Dallas for Luka Doncic — and has been working to get back on the court.