3 Players The Dallas Mavericks Must Trade For To Become A Championship Team

The Dallas Mavericks are a team that clearly needs to make some roster changes around Luka Doncic in order to be successful. They are currently the 9th seed in the Western Conference after their recent loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite Luka Doncic’s talent, it is clear that he will not be able to win on his own. Few, if any superstars have won without a co-star, and the same will be true for Luka Doncic if things don’t change.

There are a number of elite trade targets around the league, some of which could fit with, and there’s no doubt that the Dallas Mavericks have the ability to make some big trades with their draft picks. In this article, we will cover three players that the Mavericks need to trade for to build a contending team around Luka Doncic. If the Mavericks make all three of these additions, they could be a threat to make the Finals this season.

Bojan Bogdanovic Will Be An Elite Complementary Piece

Dallas Mavericks Receive: Bojan Bogdanovic

Detroit Pistons Receive: Dwight Powell, 2025 First-Round Pick (DAL)

Bojan Bogdanovic is one of the hottest names on the trade market, and for good reason. The sharpshooter is having a career season as of right now, averaging 21.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 2.4 APG while shooting 43.2% from the 3PT range. There is no doubt that his off-ball game would unlock the Dallas Mavericks’ offense, and he would be able to punish defenses for loading up on Luka Doncic. Having another elite veteran would also help the team as a whole, as Bogdanovic’s experience will be very valuable come playoff time.

The trade package here would involve the Dallas Mavericks moving Dwight Powell’s expiring contract to the Detroit Pistons, as well as their 2025 First-Round Pick. The Detroit Pistons likely want draft compensation and salary relief as of right now since they are a rebuilding team, and this deal would provide both of those things for them.

The Dallas Mavericks have already been reported as being interested in Bojan Bogdanovic, and there’s no doubt that he would be a fantastic addition to their team. It remains to be seen if they do end up trading for him, but he seems like the perfect complementary player for the style that Luka Doncic wants to play.

OG Anunoby Is An Elite Two-Way Wing

Dallas Mavericks Receive: OG Anunoby

Toronto Raptors Receive: Reggie Bullock, Jaden Hardy, 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)

Every team in the modern era desires a versatile two-way forward that can contribute on both ends of the floor. OG Anunoby is a player that is within that archetype, and he is currently having a career season with the Toronto Raptors. Currently, OG Anunoby is averaging 19.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 2.1 APG for the team while also guarding the best opposing perimeter player on a nightly basis. He is the sort of player that could thrive in a bigger role, and he would get that on the Dallas Mavericks. He also shoots 36.8% from beyond the arc for his career, and he can generally be trusted to knock down open shots.

This trade package features the Dallas Mavericks sending veteran Reggie Bullock, young guard Jaden Hardy, and a future first-round pick to the Detroit Pistons. The Toronto Raptors have been a mediocre team this year, and if they continue to lose games, they could elect to try and bottom out as a team. Getting Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson to pair with Scottie Barnes could be an appealing scenario. OG Anunoby is definitely a candidate to get moved if that were to pass.

The Dallas Mavericks will likely have some competition if they were to try and acquire OG Anunoby, as he has recently been linked with the Sacramento Kings. Hopefully, though, the Dallas Mavericks can acquire him in the future, as Anunoby is one of the players that is genuinely a perfect fit with Luka Doncic.

Zach LaVine Is The Dynamic Co-Star That Luka Doncic Needs

Dallas Mavericks Receive: Zach LaVine

Chicago Bulls Receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., Christian Wood, Josh Green, 2029 First-Round Pick, 2028 First-Round Pick Swap (CHI favored)

Zach LaVine hasn’t had the production this year that he’s had before, but he is still having a solid year. Currently, the athletic shooting guard is averaging 22.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 4.1 APG while shooting 35.6% from beyond the arc. That is clearly a decline from past seasons, but there is a chance that LaVine could bounce back and play at the level that he has shown in the past. Though he does have some injury issues, Zach LaVine is still one of the most talented players in the league and a genuine three-level scorer. This would be a high-risk, high-reward move for the Dallas Mavericks, but it could entirely be worth it if Zach LaVine helps the team win a championship.

The Chicago Bulls are clearly a poor team this season, and if they want to tank, this would be the year to do it. Some of their players have already been mentioned in trade rumors, and perhaps the Chicago Bulls could elect to trade Zach LaVine as well. LaVine’s trade value is likely lower than it was before as of right now, and the Mavericks’ offer seems fair. Christian Wood would be an expiring contract to provide the Bulls with salary relief, but the team could also potentially re-sign him long-term, as he is a solid big man with shooting abilities. Josh Green and the draft compensation involved would be good assets for the future. Tim Hardaway Jr. is included in this deal for salary matching, but they could potentially trade him later on in his contract for assets as well.

There is no doubt that Zach LaVine seems like the perfect No. 2 option for Luka Doncic. He knows how to play off-ball and has played with many ball-dominant players in the past. LaVine is also a player that can have explosive scoring nights and provide the offense needed when Luka Doncic is having an off-night. The only concern about him is his injury history, but when healthy, Zach LaVine is an elite shooting guard.

Making These Three Trades Could Help Luka Doncic Win A Championship

It is clear that if the Dallas Mavericks were to trade for Zach LaVine, OG Anunoby, and Bojan Bogdanovic, they would immediately become a better team. They already have a superstar in Luka Doncic, and making these three trades would give him the talent on the roster that he needs to succeed. Here is a look at their potential rotation after these moves.

Starters: Luka Doncic/Zach LaVine/OG Anunoby/Bojan Bogdanovic/Maxi Kleber

Bench: Spencer Dinwiddie/Frank Ntilikina/Dorian Finney-Smith/Davis Bertans/ JaVale McGee

The bench would most likely need to be improved by the front office in this scenario, but if the Dallas Mavericks are contending, they’d likely be able to add some veterans from the buyout market in the future. There are also some current free agents, such as Carmelo Anthony and Hassan Whiteside, that could be signed to add depth.

It remains to be seen if the Dallas Mavericks will make any of these trades in the future. Hopefully, we see them figure out a way to become a better team regardless of what moves they make, and we’ll see how they decide to approach building a contender around Luka Doncic.

Next

10 NBA Players Who Are Most Likely To Score 70 Points

The Most Points Scored In One Game For Every NBA Franchise

10 Best Scorers In Dallas Mavericks History: Luka Doncic Already Shows His Greatness

The 10 Greatest NBA Point Guards Of The 1990s

Only NBA Players Who Won The MVP Award And The Championship In The Same Year: Michael Jordan Did It Four Times, LeBron James Accomplished It Twice