The Dallas Mavericks’ blockbuster trade sending Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie on February 1 shocked the basketball world—and angered Mavs fans beyond belief.
The once-beloved face of the franchise, Doncic, was moved less than a year after taking Dallas to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. The backlash has been intense, and unless Davis and Kyrie Irving can deliver a championship next season, many fans will struggle to forgive team governor Patrick Dumont and general manager Nico Harrison.
Since the trade, the Mavericks have faced major issues both on the court and within their fanbase. One glaring problem has been the team’s lack of reliable three-point shooting—a critical component in today’s NBA. After February 2, Dallas ranked last in the league in threes made per game and a lowly 21st in three-point percentage.
Enter Cameron Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets. Recently named by Sir Charles in Charge’s Michael Saenz as the Mavericks’ ideal “sleeper” trade target, Johnson represents the perfect antidote to Dallas’ shooting woes. Last season, the sharpshooting forward averaged 18.8 points per game, while hitting 39% from deep on over seven attempts per game—numbers that reflect his elite shooting ability and fit next to Davis.
“Johnson is the definition of a 3-point assassin,” the report says, highlighting his quick release and confidence. He can knock down shots off the catch or from screens and excels in transition and off-ball movement, making him a nightmare to guard alongside top-tier playmakers.
His defense is also solid, especially off-ball—an asset for a Jason Kidd-led system that prioritizes effort and communication. With the Mavericks expected to continue using a twin-tower lineup featuring Davis and either Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford, adding a wing shooter like Johnson would vastly improve spacing and lineup versatility.
While trading for Johnson won’t be easy—he’s signed through 2026 at roughly $21.5 million annually—the Mavericks could use their potential top-four draft pick to sweeten the deal for Brooklyn.
This under-the-radar move might be exactly what Dallas needs to recover from the fallout of the Doncic trade and give Davis a dependable wing partner.
