The Dallas Mavericks head into the offseason with a clear need at the backup point guard position, as Kyrie Irving isn't expected back until 2026. Brandon Williams is on the roster, but he still needs time to develop. So, Dallas needs an experienced veteran guard to help lead the charge until Irving returns.
Some rumored guards Dallas could be interested in include Chris Paul, Lonzo Ball, and Jrue Holiday. Two of the guards listed would require a trade, as Dallas would need to create a deal. However, assuming the Mavs were to make a package, it's clear P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford most likely won't be included (or at least the Mavs want to keep them).
The Mavs prefer not to trade Washington or Gafford, even when pursuing a guard, according to DLLS Sports' Kevin Gray Jr. If you recall, both players played a huge role in helping the team advance to the 2024 NBA Finals, and it's obvious why they would want to keep them.
Mavs keeping Gafford and Washington may spark an Anthony Davis trade
So, assuming Dallas keeps Washington and Gafford, what might it mean for other players? Could the Mavs make another blockbuster trade? I mean, anything is possible with Nico Harrison as the team's GM, right?
For starters, the Mavericks have expressed interest in trading back into the first round of the draft to secure an additional first-round pick. This is big news, as the team could use an extra pick to secure a much-needed guard or a sidekick to pair alongside Cooper Flagg as he begins his NBA career. The issue would be finding the perfect trade package.
As mentioned, the Mavs ' ideal situation would be to keep Washington and Gafford. This will be hard, though, as the team is in desperate need of a guard. Currently, Williams is the only ideal point guard on the roster, as Dante Exum and Spencer Dinwiddie are both free agents. So, trading for a guard might be the best solution. Dallas could sign someone like Dennis Schroder, but it would have to be on a minimum contract, which he may not want to accept.
It's very possible Dallas trades for a guard or drafts one. Assuming that's the case, their frontcourt could take the biggest hit, as they have an overload of talent here with not enough talent in the backcourt. The team is already crowded with multiple forwards and centers like Dereck Lively II, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Washington, Caleb Martin, Gafford, and Naji Marshall. So, it's possible they could use their frontcourt to balance out their backcourt.
However, one name not mentioned is Anthony Davis. He was brought in during the Luka Doncic trade, as Nico Harrison believed Davis' two-way abilities could help Dallas long-term. Davis played a key role in helping Dallas win a play-in game against the Sacramento Kings before the team lost its next match against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Injuries, though, derailed his season, as he only appeared in nine regular-season games for Dallas. So, what if Dallas were to give up on Davis completely and trade him while building for the future?
It wouldn't come as a major surprise.
Harrison traded a "generational" talent in Doncic, and nothing says he wouldn't do the same with Davis if he prefers to build around Flagg, who plays power forward, Davis' preferred position. Plus, the Mavs have made it clear they want Washington and Gafford. So, what if Davis is the odd man out?
Anything is possible with Harrison as the general manager.
Earlier this week, Bleacher Report suggested a trade scenario in which the Mavs traded Davis to the Charlotte Hornets for three first-round picks, Jusuf Nurkic, and Miles Bridges.
Now, this is a trade Dallas should steer away from, although it does suggest Davis is tradable. Some trade scenarios like this suggest the team could give up on the Davis experiment. It also means Davis might be the one player to get Dallas a massive return that would help them build towards the future. He would likely bring back at least four first-round picks, which the Mavericks could use to secure young players to pair with Flagg.
So, it's quite possible that Dallas' preference not to let go of Washington and Gafford could lead to an even bigger move. It also suggests never to count Harrison out on making moves. If Davis were to be the odd man out, it could cause another frenzy in Dallas. On the plus side, it would solidify Cooper Flagg as the main man of the Mavs' future.
