The Dallas Mavericks find themselves in an interesting position heading into the offseason. After what could be considered one of the most controversial trades in recent history, the Mavs saw a massive outburst within the fanbase. However, with the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, Dallas suddenly seems to be back on track.
But, a recent trade proposal by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey suggested a complete restructuring of the roster to help the Mavericks rebuild around the projected No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg.
Bailey’s logic behind such a trade was primarily that there would be a need to extract more value out of the Doncic-Davis trade. Although the acquisition of a gifted two-way player would be considered solid nonetheless, the big man found himself on the injury report in his debut game with the Mavs, raising concerns for the future.
The injury troubles surrounding Anthony Davis, paired with an already sidelined Kyrie Irving, do not present a fruitful outlook for the Mavericks. In light of this, Dallas may opt to build around Flagg, an elite prospect with enough star potential to become a franchise cornerstone in the immediate context.
Proposed Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Miles Bridges, Jusuf Nurkić, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Anthony Davis
The structure of the trade proposal is nothing short of intriguing. With significant draft compensation, an expiring contract, and a solid two-way player, the Mavericks may very well benefit from exploring such a trade package.
The Mavs Rebuild Around Cooper Flagg
The central entity and driving force behind this deal is Cooper Flagg. The Duke prospect has been one of the most highly touted prospects in recent years, and given his performances at the collegiate level, the hype is justified.
Dallas’ investment in Flagg’s development has seen them included in a number of potential trade proposals. However, structuring a rebuild around him will require the team to commit a significant amount of time and patience to the process.
A trade with the Hornets gives the Mavericks some solid veterans to help facilitate the roster construction in the meantime. Miles Bridges is a solid takeaway in such a deal. Albeit a controversial personality off the court, the Hornets forward is a very reliable two-way player.Â
Bridges notched an average of 20.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 43.1% shooting from the field. Although his perimeter shooting isn’t the most impressive trait, he has showcased an ability to create shots for himself and to act as a lob threat by employing his unique athletic abilities.
The 27-year-old could be considered among the best players in Charlotte. With two years left on his contract, the Mavericks could do well with him playing as the secondary option in the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, Jusuf Nurkic is an expiring contract, something Dallas will be very content with considering his $19.3 million cap hit this season. While Nurkic could be a solid addition to Dallas’ frontcourt for the season, they already have enough depth in the center spot.
Jusuf could help shed some salary by coming off the books next season. This would allow the Mavs to address their issues with re-signing key big men next summer.
The real prize in this deal is the three first-round picks, courtesy of Charlotte. Dallas has a glaring shortage of draft capital. Considering their need to build for the future, each pick has value, either as a draft asset or for trade, especially when it comes to roster construction.
The Hornets Pair LaMelo Ball With Anthony Davis
The notion of pairing a gifted point guard such as LaMelo Ball with an elite two-way big man like Anthony Davis seems almost unfair. The result of this deal could see the Charlotte Hornets transform into a superpower in the East, something that would not be expected of a team that ended second-to-last in the table last season.
The Hornets have been a wildly disappointing franchise over the past few seasons. However, the presence of LaMelo Ball has been their beacon of hope nonetheless. The Hornets’ star has displayed the ability to be one of the best guards in the game, and when paired with a center with championship pedigree, Charlotte could see him fulfill that potential.
The criticisms around Davis have primarily been about his unavailability due to injuries and his shortcomings as a first option. In Charlotte, Davis would find himself in an increasingly favorable situation. With no need to be the primary scoring option, the big man can focus on playing the game the way it suits him best.
Additionally, the 32-year-old wouldn’t be required to play in the center position. With players like Mark Williams in place, Charlotte would not only have a solid frontcourt duo, but they would have two gifted rim protectors at their disposal.
Davis’ averages of 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game leave enough room for doubt as well. But, in a low-pressure system where he isn’t the focal point, the Hornets may flourish as a team with Davis playing a supporting role.
Rebuilding Around Flagg Is A Massive Risk
The decision to draft Flagg could potentially save the Mavericks from the fate the franchise had resigned itself to after the Doncic trade. However, going into a rebuild around him may not be the smartest move.
Having solid veterans with championship experience around Flagg would help him develop into a far more complete player. The mentoring provided by Davis and Irving, albeit intangible, would be considered invaluable for cultivating his gifts.
A trade with the Hornets may help them secure all the right assets, but the absence of reliable veteran leadership could backfire quite as quickly.
