The Dallas Mavericks were among the NBA’s biggest disappointments in 2022-23, and their shortcomings have led to plenty of trade speculation surrounding franchise star Luka Dončić.
Of course, it’s far more likely that the Mavericks will try to build around Dončić rather than move on from him while he’s in his prime.
Dončić and the Mavericks qualified for the postseason in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Last year, they advanced all the way to the Western Conference Finals, falling to the eventual NBA Champion Golden State Warriors.
Despite trading for All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving ahead of the deadline, the Mavericks never found their groove and finished 38-44 on the year (11th in the Western Conference). As a result, the Mavs missed out on the play-in tournament and missed the postseason for the first time since 2019.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey proposed an intriguing trade scenario in which the Mavericks would land star big man Deandre Ayton from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for JaVale McGee, Tim Hardaway Jr. plus a 2027 first-round pick:
“Tim Hardaway Jr. would give the Suns a dedicated floor-spacer who could flank isolation or pick-and-roll action from KD or Booker. And McGee would be another try-hard (like Landale) who also brings championship experience.
The real prize, though, would be a first-round pick for a team with two stars in Kyrie (assuming he’s re-signed) and Luka Dončić who could grow impatient without a title run (that’s just the NBA these days, folks).
Of course, the Mavericks wouldn’t make a deal like this without thinking it moved them closer to that ultimate aspiration. And while you might have a similar issue with the ball dominance of Luka and Kyrie, the former is obviously a more natural playmaker than either Suns superstar. Dončić could help make Ayton one of the game’s better pick-and-roll options.”
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The 24-year-old Dončić averaged a career-high 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and eight assists per game in 2022-23. Despite his all-world talents, it’s clear that the Mavericks are another piece or two away from re-emerging as legitimate title contenders.
Ayton, the No. 1 selection of the 2018 NBA draft, averaged 18 points per game for the Suns in 2022-23. But with Phoenix once again enduring another early playoff elimination, it’s obvious that changes are needed.
Could the Suns and Mavericks opt to do business together this offseason? Only time will tell, but the outlined Ayton trade proposal certainly makes sense for both sides.
