I think Dallas has exceeded expectations this season by beating Phoenix and making the Conference finals. However, its also clear the roster is overmatched against a top 5 roster. The Mavs play above their level with how Coach Kidd gets max effort out of each player and Luka enhances almost everyone he plays with but this can only go so far against a team that has more talent and the experience to handle adversity. This is my idea to fix the holes I see in their roster and its a draft night trade so they can trade their 2022 pick. This works on some assumption becasue it assumes Zach Lavine doesn't resign with Chicago but its not a sure thing at this point and among the teams that are rumored to be interested (Lakers, Trailblazers, Sixers) the Mavs have both the best assets to give back and the situation Lavine is most likely to agree to go to because it is a sign and trade.

Chicago may go for this because although Brunson isn't as good as Lavine when Lavine is at his best the gap has closed a lot this season and Brunson has both demonstrated he has the ability to be a second option at a reasonable price (20-25 mil) and he would fit the Bulls roster well. Lonzo is the bigger guard who defends well to cover for Brunson's lack of size and Brunson has the slashing/playmaking ability to get the other guys open and a bull dog mentality on defense that fits Chicago's early season identity.

The Pacer's are getting some talent and assets back for an expiring contract of a valuable player but one who just doesn't fit their rebuild timeline. Not a whole lot for this one because the Pacer's aren't looking to compete next season but would want to get some assets and Rick Carlisle loves THJ and Powell and he can always resign his for an affordable price and use THJ and Derrick Jones Jr. to get through the rebuild and fill roles as solid role players around Haliburton and whomever else they build around.

Mavs new roster Starters PG Luka Doncic SG Zach Lavine SF Reggie Bullock PF Dorian Finney-Smith C Myles Turner

Bench PG Spencer Dinwiddie SG Josh Green SF Frank Ntilikina PF Davis Bertans C Marquese Chriss

Reserve PG Trey Burke SG SF Sterling Brown PF C Boban Marjanovic