Why the Mavs Do This:

This clears out high-usage veterans like AD and D'Lo to hand the franchise keys entirely to rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. It saves over $30 million in luxury taxes this year and wipes Davis’s $58.5M salary off the books for next season. They get reliable rotation depth in Barnes/Johnson and reclaim their 2030 first-round swap rights from the Spurs.

Why the Spurs Do This:

They create a "Twin Towers" defense by pairing Anthony Davis with Victor Wembanyama, the most intimidating rim-protection duo in NBA history. Moving veterans for a superstar signals they are ready to contend for a championship immediately alongside De'Aaron Fox. Because they have tax room, they add a 10-time All-Star without having to trade away their top young core pieces like Stephon Castle.

Why the Nets Do This:

They "weaponize" their open cap space to absorb D'Lo's contract in exchange for multiple draft picks. They bring back D'Angelo Russell to provide veteran leadership for their rebuilding roster on a cheap, expiring contract. D'Lo’s return provides a popular face for the fans at Barclays Center during a season focused on the future.