The Dallas Mavericks have been a highly controversial team in the NBA. After practically gambling their future away by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks find themselves on the verge of a new era, having secured the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft.
The Mavs’ potential to be one of the best teams in the league, on paper at least, is nothing to be scoffed at. They feature a very potent superstar pairing of Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. Although Irving’s injury will keep him sidelined until what is expected to be January next year, the Mavs still have Davis anchoring the team until then.
Meanwhile, Dallas is also poised to make a splash by drafting Duke product Cooper Flagg with their first-overall pick. The addition of Flagg could potentially change the face of the franchise moving forward. To add to this, the Mavs could make an even bigger move by attempting to form a “Big 4” by signing Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant in the offseason.
The Suns’ intentions of trading Durant have been made clear. While facilitating a trade has been a challenge, we may have an ideal situation where the Suns can fulfill their plans while simultaneously turning Dallas into a powerhouse.
Proposed Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns: Daniel Gafford, Max Christie, 2028 first-round pick (DET), 2029 second-round pick (via MIL), 2030 second-round pick (MIN)
Detroit Pistons: Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Jaden Hardy
In a blockbuster move that fulfills the needs of every team, we take a look at the finer details of how the trade plays out for each one.
Mavericks’ Very Own Fantastic 4
When it comes to superteams, no one knows them better than Kevin Durant. In a scenario where he could be joining another, the forward may find himself in the best place to win a title as well.
Proposals seeing Durant joining the Mavericks seem nigh unfair. Even at 36 years old, the forward is nothing short of an offensive weapon. Notching an average of 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 52.7% shooting from the field and 43.6% shooting from three-point territory, Durant can do it all.
Whether it comes to stretching the floor or creating scoring opportunities, the 15x All-Star remains one of the best in the game when it comes to pure offense. Additionally, at 6’11”, he also brings a lot of length to the team.
The potential upside for the Mavericks is quite incredible. With Irving out of the rotation, Durant picks up the scoring slack quite effortlessly. With Davis, Durant presents the possibility of recreating a flexible two-towers situation, allowing the big man to dominate in the paint while he attracts defenders on the outside.
The biggest advantage for the organization is the development of Flagg under the star’s tutelage. The rookie boasts a very high ceiling. Being mentored by the likes of Durant could see him transform into a complete player, if not potentially one of the best players in the league.
With just three of their players on the floor, the Mavericks would look threatening. Adding Irving to the mix halfway through the season would either be a resounding success or an abject failure if injuries take hold again.
Suns Gather The Assets Needed To Retool
After a disappointing end to the season, it was evident that Phoenix needed to make some massive changes. After starting with the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Suns made it abundantly clear that they would begin by trading Durant and focusing their roster construction project around Devin Booker.
With this trade, the Suns gather a substantial number of assets to facilitate the retooling project.
The Suns will look to make some key roster additions in Daniel Gafford and Max Christie. Gafford has garnered a lot of interest from teams in the offseason. His performance with the Mavericks last season validated this as he averaged 12.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in only 21.5 minutes played per game.
Gafford’s durability and athleticism make him a valuable asset to have. Considering how the Suns have struggled to find stability in the center spot since Deandre Ayton‘s departure, the Mavs’ big man could offer some shoring up in this sense.
Gafford is a mobile, rim-running big man. By pairing him with a player like Booker, the Suns could get the most out of him while also seeing him act as a lob threat.
The other valuable addition the Suns would see is Mavs guard Max Christie. The 22-year-old boasts a lot of upside as a two-way player. His game has seen a lot of development since his rookie season with the Lakers. Having played alongside the likes of LeBron James, the guard has added to his offensive repertoire while consistently improving upon his defensive contributions.
Christie joined the Mavericks as part of the trade sending Doncic to the Lakers. However, this trade saw the 22-year-old burst out of his shell, as he went on to average 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game in 32 games for the Mavs.
His growth will be worth investing in, especially considering the timeline the Suns will be on after trading Durant. His potential as a two-way wing coming off the bench could be of immense value to Phoenix, as he is also a steadily improving three-point shooter.
If this wasn’t enough, the Suns will be walking away with significant draft capital. With one first-round pick and two second-rounders, Phoenix will build its store of assets, giving the team flexibility to either build through the draft in the future or swing for a star.
The Pistons Acquire Necessary Veteran Depth
The Detroit Pistons are coming off one of their best seasons in recent history. After making it to the playoffs with a young team, they even managed to record two wins, their first since 2008. Unfortunately, they still found themselves out of the postseason.
However, this season was far from being a disappointment for Detroit. If anything, it showed the NBA that the franchise was on the rise again. Led by a competent and inspiring young star in Cade Cunningham, the Pistons look primed to take on the league. And with this trade, they acquire the necessary veteran depth needed to guide the effort.
The addition of players such as Klay Thompson and PJ Washington goes beyond their stats. Thompson, who averaged 14.0 points and 3.4 rebounds on 41.2% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc, is far from being his best. In many ways, the last season was an underwhelming one for him. But what he brings in terms of experience could be invaluable for a team like Detroit.
As a four-time NBA champion, Thompson is the ideal guide for helping the young Pistons squad navigate the pressures of the playoffs. Coming off the bench, the 35-year-old remains an effective perimeter threat, facilitating scoring opportunities with his off-ball movement.
PJ Washington is a great addition to Detroit’s current lineup. A stretch four like Washington would fit right in, bolstering their bench rotation. Although there may be some competition for minutes, Washington may be able to step in at center in small-ball lineups.
His averages of 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds on 45.3% shooting from the field and 38.1% shooting from three-point range would inspire confidence regardless of which role he played.
Additionally, the Pistons also add youth with 22-year-old Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy. Hardy has displayed a lot of scoring potential as an offensive firestarter. His ability to create his shot in isolation while also extending his range to the three-point line makes him a lethal addition to the bench.
While there may be some conflicts, considering the potential clash with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley (in case they return next season), Hardy’s presence forces them to stay on their toes to avoid losing playing time.
A trade of this magnitude could have a lasting impact on the rest of the league. While the timeline for the Suns and Pistons may be set for a future date, the Mavericks will be in a position to win right away.
At 36 years old, Durant’s title window is closing. Should Irving and Davis remain healthy, along with meaningful growth by Flagg, the Mavs could very likely be one of the best teams in the league if Durant joins the side.
