The last time the Mavericks and Lakers made a deal, it sent ripples across the NBA. Now, ESPN is posing a new trade proposal between the two.
The Dallas Mavericks etched their name in NBA infamy after dealing potential lifetime superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025.
The move netted the Mavs Anthony Davis, who is no longer with the team, and has been universally panned by fans and analysts since it was announced.
It also sent Dallas to the bottom of the NBA standings just one season following its return to the NBA Finals. Luckily for Mavs fans, that horrid year granted them the right to draft Cooper Flagg, who went on to win the league's Rookie of the Year award.
With a centerpiece to build around, the future for the Mavericks once again looks bright, even if it made unnecessarily dark by baffling decisions made by the team's management.
In the midst of this new era in Dallas, the Mavs are aiming to reshape their identity around Flagg, which means there could be more deals on the horizon. Masai Ujiri has already shown a strong approach in leading the team in a short stint as its president, leading further credence to the possibility of shakeups on the roster.
ESPN released a list of a few possible trade scenarios that have a chance to play out this offseason and Dallas had a spot on it. And the other half of this hypothetical move was none other than the franchise that broke hearts across the Metroplex, the Lakers.
There is no need to fear this time, Mavs faithful, as this trade concept does not involve sending away their leader in Flagg. Instead it is one that actually benefits the budding star.
According to this scenario from ESPN, Dallas would send Daniel Gafford to L.A. in exchange for Dalton Knect, Jarred Vanderbilt and a 2026 first-round pick, which slots in at No. 26.
Gafford has been a staple on both of ends of the court for the Mavs in this growing period, which makes him a target for several contenders looking for final touches on a championship roster.
Meanwhile, Dallas is looking to hone in on youth and establish a young core, akin to the cross-state Spurs. Gafford's presence will be missed up front but swapping him for a secondary scorer in Knect and versatile veteran with Vanderbilt allows the Mavs quite the return on investment.
Not to mention, Dallas would get another chance to bring in a prospect from this upcoming draft class. No. 26 does not bode well for locking down a generational talent, but with their earlier selection it creates an opportunity to add a depth piece that is still a solid get.
The idea of trading with the Lakers may send shivers down the spine of any Maverick fan. However, this latest proposal seems to be less disastrous than the last deal the two franchises landed on.
