With the NBA trade deadline just days away, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a familiar, yet increasingly urgent position: staring down the league’s new second apron tax threshold with no deal yet on the books. The clock is ticking, and while the rumor mill has swirled around big names-most notably Anthony Davis-it’s looking more and more like Dallas may have to pivot to smaller, yet still significant, moves to stay financially nimble.
Let’s start with the obvious: trading Davis would be the cleanest way to create cap flexibility. His contract is massive, and in theory, moving it would give the Mavericks the breathing room they need to avoid the harshest penalties under the new CBA.
But here’s the problem-Davis' value around the league has taken a hit. His injury history and the sheer size of his deal make him a tough sell, especially for contending teams looking for immediate help without long-term financial strain.
That leaves Dallas in a bit of a bind. With Davis unlikely to be moved, the front office may have no choice but to look at more tradable pieces-players like Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford.
These aren’t just filler names; all three bring real value on the court and could fetch meaningful assets in return. But make no mistake-any move involving them is about more than just roster construction.
It’s about preserving flexibility, avoiding the second apron, and keeping the team’s long-term vision intact.
Marshall, in particular, is a name to watch. He’s on a team-friendly deal, contributes on both ends, and could plug into just about any rotation in the league.
Dallas could potentially net a future first-round pick for him, though matching salary for a player making just $9 million annually could complicate things. Still, for teams looking to add a versatile wing without breaking the bank, Marshall is an attractive target.
Then there’s Gafford. The big man signed an extension this past offseason and has been a steady presence in the frontcourt.
His contract is reasonable, and his skill set-rim protection, rebounding, and efficient scoring around the basket-makes him a solid fit for teams needing frontcourt depth. He could easily bring back expiring deals and maybe even some draft capital, giving Dallas both financial relief and future flexibility.
Klay Thompson is the veteran wildcard in this scenario. At $16 million per year, he’s not cheap, but he’s also not prohibitively expensive for a contending team looking to add playoff-tested shooting.
Thompson can still stretch the floor and knock down shots in big moments, and with four rings to his name, he brings a championship pedigree that’s hard to quantify. His contract makes him an ideal candidate to be flipped for a smaller return-perhaps an expiring deal and a second-round pick-but that might be all Dallas needs to stay under the tax line.
The bigger picture here is the Mavericks' future, and everything revolves around Cooper Flagg. With the franchise now entering the early stages of what it hopes is a new era, building around Flagg has to be the priority.
That means maintaining cap flexibility, stockpiling young assets, and avoiding the kind of tax penalties that can handcuff a team’s ability to build sustainably. Trading Marshall, Gafford, or Thompson might sting in the short term, especially for a fan base that’s grown attached to these players, but the long-term benefits are hard to ignore.
The second apron isn’t just a number-it’s a warning sign. Teams that cross it face real consequences: limited access to mid-level exceptions, restrictions on trades, and potential barriers to building out a competitive roster. For Dallas, staying below that line isn’t just smart cap management-it’s essential to the vision they’re trying to build around Flagg.
So while Anthony Davis may not be on the move, don’t expect the Mavericks to stand pat. The deadline is approaching fast, and if they want to avoid a summer full of financial gymnastics, some tough decisions are coming.
Whether it’s Marshall, Gafford, or Thompson, the Mavs will likely have to say goodbye to someone. The question now is: who goes, and what kind of return sets them up for the future they’re trying to build?