Dallas Mavericks fans are still processing the shocking trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, along with the injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
With both teams looking to optimize their rosters for a championship push, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz proposed an offseason trade that could be more balanced than the previous Dončić deal.
Proposed Trade:
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford
“Mavericks fans may start to twitch when seeing the Lakers as a trade partner, and understandably so. This deal would actually work out in their favor, however, giving Dallas some much-needed offensive creation now with Luka Dončić gone,” Swartz wrote.
Mavericks Land Best Player in the Deal
Unlike their previous trade, this proposal would see the Mavericks acquiring the best player.
“Reaves is having the best season of his career (19.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals per game) and would help take playmaking pressure off of Kyrie Irving, who’s now likely to miss the beginning of 2025-26 following a torn ACL. A starting five of Irving, Reaves, Naji Marshall, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II would be younger, more athletic, and carry more offensive pop,” Swartz noted.
The Lakers have valued Reaves highly, making him untouchable in previous trade talks. However, with his contract extension approaching and their draft capital depleted, they may have to reconsider if it helps meet the needs of their new franchise player.
This deal could also help the Lakers secure the center they missed out on in the failed Mark Williams trade while reuniting Thompson with Dončić.
“Thompson should be thrilled to play with Dončić again, and the Lakers get an ideal starting center with Gafford taking over for Jaxson Hayes,” Swartz added.
Klay Thompson ‘Stuck in Purgatory’
Thompson initially chose the Mavericks over the Lakers last offseason, believing Dončić and Irving gave him a better shot at a championship. However, Dončić’s unexpected trade to the Lakers left him surprised, according to his father, former Laker Mychal Thompson.
“No, no, not at all,” Mychal Thompson said on ESPN Los Angeles’ Mason & Ireland show when asked if Klay saw this coming. “He thought with Luka [Dončić] and Kyrie he had a chance to get back to the Finals. Obviously, Luka left. When I told him [Anthony Davis] is coming, you still got a chance to get to the Finals because AD’s that good. Then he’s hurt. And then [Daniel] Gafford got hurt and then [Dereck] Lively got hurt.
“So yeah, Klay is stuck in purgatory right now, and if they hang on to the 10th seed, that will be the story of the year in the NBA. Because I think they’re going to lose 10 in a row.”
Thompson’s shooting numbers took a hit without Dončić. While playing alongside him, he averaged 14.9 points on 43.4% shooting overall and 40.6% from three. Without Dončić, those numbers dipped slightly to 14.3 points on 40.6% shooting overall and 39.5% from beyond the arc.
