The Dallas Mavericks are continuing their rebuild around Cooper Flagg, and they could add some draft capital in an offseason trade with their in-state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs.
The Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs are historical rivals, but are currently on two different timelines. San Antonio just cemented itself as a title contender and one of the very best teams in the NBA. The Mavericks, meanwhile, still have a long way to go.
But it's not all bleak! With a revamped front office and a young superstar in Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks have a clear direction and are expected to come out on the other end as one of the NBA's best teams.
With ample trade assets, Dallas needs to add to its draft coffers. Between 2026 and 2032, the Mavericks have seven first-round picks, but three of them are the least favorable of swaps, and one of them is from the Los Angeles Lakers.
In an effort to own more picks outright, the Mavericks are expected to make some moves this summer.
Mavericks Could Demand Picks From Spurs
Dallas' best trade asset is easily Kyrie Irving. He's been linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, and Atlanta Hawks. The Spurs, with De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, have no interest in adding Irving.
However, they could use jumbo wings and rebounding help. That's where the Mavericks can strike a deal.
"I think PJ Washington would be fantastic," said Dave DuFour on the Athletic NBA Daily, regarding possible Spurs' trade targets. "He's a guy who, up top, he can switch, you're not worried about him in space. Obviously can shoot and finish. I think [Naji] Marshall, that's a guy everybody should be going for, who's better than his role."
The Spurs can pretty easily take on either Marshall's or Washington's contract, and they would fit in well as power forwards next to Victor Wembanyama. Add in some shooters in the backcourt and on the wings, and the Spurs would have a well-rounded starting five.
Of course, they won't come cheap. The Spurs won the Mavericks' 2030 first-round pick, have plenty of selections of their own, and have picks from the Hawks, Celtics, Timberwolves, and Kings. All in the first round!
If the Mavericks are to make a deal with their in-state rival, it would have to be future-driven, centered on draft picks rather than players. If Dallas wants an immediate impact, the Spurs are picking 20th in the 2026 NBA Draft. If no one on the board fits San Antonio's win-now timeline, the Mavericks should come calling.
