The Dallas Mavericks are embroiled in a deepening crisis with a dismal 4-10 record, sparking widespread analysis of potential fixes amid injuries to star players Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. ESPN’s NBA insiders are exploring all avenues, from trading Davis to tanking for the draft, as the franchise searches for a path forward after a shocking downturn.
Nine months after the franchise-altering trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, the Mavericks find themselves near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The firing of general manager Nico Harrison last week has only heightened the uncertainty, with Anthony Davis limited to just five games due to a calf strain and Kyrie Irving still recovering from an ACL tear. This precarious position has forced the team to confront hard questions about its future direction and roster construction, with interim GMs Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi now at the helm.
One prominent option under discussion is trading Anthony Davis, whose value is complicated by his injury history and massive contract. Executives from around the league express caution, noting that while Davis was a top-20 player with the Lakers, his $175 million extension and recent health issues make him a risky acquisition. Despite these concerns, there would likely be a market for Davis, similar to last season’s Jimmy Butler trade, but any return would fall short of what Dallas gave up for him. The Mavericks are also hampered by financial constraints, as they cannot take back more salary in trades and have limited draft assets.
A Davis trade could help rebalance the Mavericks’ roster, which currently suffers from positional logjams. With Davis often playing out of position due to center depth, players like P.J. Washington and rookie Cooper Flagg are not in optimal roles. Trading Davis for perimeter talent would allow Flagg to shift to his natural combo forward position and improve the team’s overall fit, aligning better with a youth-focused timeline centered around the 18-year-old phenom. This shift would also address the team’s aging roster, making it more suitable for a rebuild around Flagg.
Simply waiting for Davis and Irving to return from injury may not be enough to fix Dallas’ offensive woes. The team ranks 29th in offensive efficiency and dead last in three-point shooting, with Klay Thompson’s decline exacerbating spacing issues. Even with Irving’s elite playmaking, which improves offense by about 3.8 points per 100 possessions, the Mavericks lack sufficient shooting to support lineups with multiple non-shooters like Davis, Flagg, and centers Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford. This makes a roster overhaul necessary for sustained improvement rather than relying solely on health.
Another strategic pivot involves embracing a tanking approach to secure a high draft pick in the 2026 class, which is loaded with talent. Prospects like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer offer franchise-changing potential, providing a safety net for teams willing to lose now for future gains. For Dallas, landing another star alongside Flagg could accelerate the rebuild without the financial constraints of free agency. Given the Mavericks’ own 2026 first-round pick and a Lakers pick in 2029, focusing on the draft might offer a clearer path to long-term success.
Free agency presents its own challenges, as the Mavericks are projected to be a repeater tax team with significant financial restrictions. Exceeding the second apron limits their ability to use exceptions or make certain trades, and ownership may balk at a $370 million payroll for a lottery team. With few expiring contracts, Dallas has minimal flexibility to add talent without shedding salary or making trades. The team cannot use the tax midlevel exception and faces frozen future picks if they remain over the apron, complicating any quick fixes.
The long-term outlook requires a coherent strategy that prioritizes Flagg’s development and accumulates assets. The Mavericks have limited draft capital, with no first-round picks until 2026 and conditional futures, emphasizing the need for shrewd moves. Whether through trades, the draft, or patient rebuilding, the front office must navigate this disaster with an eye toward sustainable success rather than quick fixes. The franchise’s journey from NBA Finals appearance just 29 months ago to this nadir highlights the volatility of modern team-building.
Ultimately, there is no cure-all for the Mavericks’ current predicament, as each option carries significant risks and uncertainties. Insiders emphasize that the solution will require careful evaluation of trade-offs, whether it’s leveraging Davis’s value, banking on health, or committing to a youth movement. As the season progresses, Dallas’s decisions will shape not only Flagg’s career but the franchise’s ability to reclaim its status as a contender in the competitive Western Conference.
