The Dallas Mavericks are ready to compete in the Western Conference, but as long as Kyrie Irving is out, there’s one dazzling hole in the lineup.
Whatever Dallas Maverick does this offseason, they are expected to compete in the 2026 Western Conference. While trading the Los Angeles Lakers with Luka Donsic, Anthony Davis’s return will become the already established core of Killie Irving’s core, Klay Thompson, and future player.
However, Irving will miss most of next season with tears in the ACL. Unlike the Boston Celtics, the Mavericks are not in a position to wait until the best players can return. They will need to look for a stop gup replacement this offseason.
Here are the three best temporary alternatives for Irving, through trading, free agency and the NBA draft.
General Manager Nico Harrison has been reciting his mantra since trading Donsic: “Defense Winning Championship.”
Would it be better to add more than the last guard to win the defensive player of the year?
Smart is a solid facilitator and elite defender, and his weaknesses, namely scoring, are hidden by Davis, Thompson, PJ Washington, and the first overall overall pickcooper flag.
With Smart having $21.5 million left on his contract for a season, Dallas has to give up significant depths to suit his salary. However, the Washington Wizard is likely not expecting to call him this season, so Mavs can hold a valuable draft capital.
Complete mock trade details
- Mavericks Receiver: Marcus Smart
- The Wizard Receipt: Caleb Martin, Max Christie, Jaden Hardy
Christie showed the Flash with Dallas last season, but the Mavericks need to include him in their deal with Smart. The wizard isn’t keen to undertake a lingering deal, and Smart will leave the book next summer to offer financial flexibility around the younger core.
With his 22-year-old wings hanging, Maverick should be able to reinforce his backcourt and add defense until Irving returns.
Mavericks has already committed $188 million next season, and has not counted Cooper Flag’s Rookie contracts. In free agency, apart from other moves, the Mavericks don’t have a lot of money to spend it.
Tre Jones could be a solid budget security guard to get over them until Irving returns.
After trading with the Chicago Bulls by the San Antonio Spurs last season, he averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 assists per game with his new team. He is an underrated defender, a great facilitator and rarely hand over the ball.
Like Smart, he has a hard time scoring, but Maverick has other players who can pour a bucket.
His continued improvement with the Bulls should raise his value and asking price, but Chicago has already committed to Lonzo Ball and Josh Giddy next season and may be willing to open up financial resources for his career backup guard.
Jones was a starter in 2022-23, Victor Wenbagnama’s first true PG in San Antonio, and managed to achieve similar success with Flag and Davis’ frontcourt.
For now, I’m operating under the assumption that the point guard with the added point guard has a slot next to the FLAGG. However, if Maverick wants to shock the world, there are slight benefits.
If Maverick passes on Flagg, a talent for the generation of boundaries, Nico Harrison may have to hire additional security details. However, the Mavericks managed to settle for Dylan Harper, the best point guard prospect in the draft.
At Rutgers, he averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He is generally expected to be drafted second overall by the Spurs.
Flag is clearly the best player in the draft, but the Mavericks traded their first pick with the Spurs for their second overall selection, setting a massive distance of future draft capitals and allowing Harper to pick.
Starting prices on pure swaps are the second pick, the 14th pick, the 2027 Atlanta Hawks pick, and the 2030 Mavericks (or Timberwolves) pick.
The lineup of Harper, Thompson, Washington, Davis and Daniel Gafford will have shooting, size and defense. And there’s a reason to believe Harper and Irving can share the floor once the veteran returns.
Draft Harper is certainly a long shot, and the Mavericks are generally expected to pursue established veterans rather than shocking the world on draft night.
