The Dallas Mavericks find themselves at a crossroads as the NBA trade season heats up. Winners of seven of their last 11 games, there’s been just enough success to spark conversation about whether this team should be buyers. And with Cooper Flagg showing flashes of the superstar he’s projected to become, it’s tempting to imagine what a bold move could do for Dallas down the stretch.
But the reality is a little more complicated.
Despite the recent surge, the Mavs are still on the outside looking in when it comes to the Western Conference play-in picture. Kyrie Irving’s return remains more of a hopeful headline than a guaranteed timeline, and the idea of going all-in with a roster that’s yet to hit full strength feels like a gamble that might not pay off.
So instead of buying, the Mavericks may be better positioned to sell - and that’s where things get interesting.
If Dallas does pivot into seller mode, all eyes turn to Anthony Davis. He’s healthy now, and he’s doing his part to boost his trade value, but the market for a player like Davis is tricky. There’s still a massive contract attached to his name, and while he can be a game-changer when right, the return likely won’t match the price Dallas paid when they moved Luka Doncic to bring him in.
That’s the dilemma. If Davis is your biggest trade chip, and the offers don’t reflect that, do you still pull the trigger?
One team that could be a logical trade partner is the Detroit Pistons. They’ve got the kind of assets any seller would love to get their hands on - young talent, financial flexibility, and picks. But here’s the catch: Detroit’s not giving up its crown jewels.
That means no Ausar Thompson, no Jalen Duren, no Ron Holland III, no Isaiah Stewart, and no far-off first-round pick that could blossom into something special years down the line. In other words, none of the pieces that would make a Davis deal feel like a win for Dallas.
Still, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth exploring. Jaden Ivey has shown real flashes when healthy - a scorer with secondary playmaking chops who could fit nicely alongside Flagg in the long run.
An unprotected first-rounder, even if it’s not from the distant future, always carries intrigue. We’ve seen how quickly a pick can go from overlooked to franchise-altering.
There’s also the veteran angle. Gary Harris brings plug-and-play value and a $26.6 million expiring contract that could offer Dallas some financial breathing room - or even be flipped again for more assets before the deadline. Caris LeVert, meanwhile, could be a cap-clearing piece next season or potentially regain form and become a movable asset himself.
So yes, a deal with Detroit could net the Mavericks a solid return - but “solid” might not be enough.
Since the Mavericks made the blockbuster move to bring in Davis, he’s become their best shot at reloading the roster with the kind of pieces that can support Flagg’s rise and give this team a real path forward. If the best offer on the table doesn’t include premium talent or high-upside picks, it might make more sense to hold onto Davis and hope that Irving returns in time to make a push.
Because if this team does get healthy, and Flagg continues to develop, there’s still a version of this season that ends with Dallas making some noise. But if the front office decides it’s time to pivot, they’ll need to aim higher than what’s currently being floated - or risk walking away with less than Davis is worth.