The Dallas Mavericks made waves over the weekend by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Prioritizing defense and unwilling to commit to Doncic’s looming supermax extension, the team pivoted toward a new direction.
Now in win-now mode, the Mavericks are pushing for a championship. With Davis at 31 and Kyrie Irving nearing 33, the team is looking for one more star to bolster their roster. As the trade deadline approaches, general manager Nico Harrison is still eyeing major moves.
One name linked to Dallas is Kevin Durant, the star forward from the Phoenix Suns. However, according to Sam Amick, David Aldridge, and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, pulling off a Durant trade will be extremely challenging.
“League sources say the Dallas Mavericks, fresh off their Luka Dončić-for-Anthony Davis swap that sent shockwaves through the Association, have dreams of adding Durant to their Davis-Kyrie Irving-led group,” Amick, Aldridge, and Slater wrote. “While the likelihood of Dallas pulling this off now appears unlikely, the mere idea of Durant joining Dallas’ star-studded group sheds new light on the thinking of Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison after he was roundly ridiculed for the Dončić deal. Whether it’s Durant (now or later), or perhaps even the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James in the summer if he were to decline his player option for next season, the 52-year-old Harrison appears to be targeting big-time stars with whom he’s very familiar from his past life as a top Nike executive. The goal, of course, is to win a championship as soon as possible.”
Acquiring Durant would demand a significant trade package, but the Mavericks’ assets are limited. Despite moving a player of Doncic’s caliber, the return only included Max Christie and a single first-round pick. This makes it difficult for Dallas to put together an enticing offer for another superstar.
While the Mavericks could make a major move in the summer, for now, it appears Davis and Irving will lead the charge as the team fights to climb the Western Conference standings.
