The Mavericks are at a very important inflection point with Luka moving forward. They have a number of needs and not a ton of assets. The offseason may very well hinge on the lottery tonight. If the Mavs stay at 10, then they should be looking to move the pick for some win now pieces. Here, they take a similar approach to the Lakers, where instead of going all in for a 3rd star player, they use their picks to build depth around their two main guys.

First Trade (Draft Night Deal)

Tim Hardaway Jr and the 10th overall pick for Isaiah Stewart, Alec Burks, and two future second round picks

The assumption here is that the Pistons win the lottery and get Victor Wembanyama. He is a game changing prospect, who also fits very nicely next to Jalen Duren, last year's lottery selection for Detroit. That leaves Isaiah Stewart in flux. With James Wiseman and Marvin Bagley in the frontcourt as well, the Pistons are free to move Stewart for a pick that can net them a better fit around Vic and Duren, such as Grady Dick, Ausar Thompson, Taylor Hendricks, Jarace Walker, etc. They also get a very solid vet to step into the rotation, help bring along some of the younger guards they have, and space the floor quite nicely for Vic and Cade.

For Dallas, they acquire two vets who can help fill vital roles for Dallas. Burks is slightly bigger than THJ, and a better defender as well. Stewart can come in and help bring some size, physicality, and defense inside. He can also potentially become a stretch big down the line.

Second Trade

Davis Bertans and a 2027 top 10 protected first for Otto Porter Jr and Chris Boucher

The Raptors are a team that could (and probably should) blow it up this offseason. If that is the case, they have a number of very interesting vets that would be appealing for playoff teams. Siakam and OG are the most obvious, but here they Mavs get a couple of the lesser valued option. Porter and Boucher bring something the MAvs desperately lacked after the Kyrie trade: size. The Mavs were a tiny team, starting the 6'6" Reggie Bullock, normally a SG/SF, at the PF position. While Porter Jr is a massive injury concern, and Boucher is a bit of a tweener, both would find valuable roles are rotation pieces in Dallas.

Third Trade

Christian Wood (S&T) and two future 2nd round picks for Steven Adams

The Grizzlies desperately need more shooting. When your superstar is not a great shooter, it is really hard to play a non-shooting big at the 5. So swapping him out for a stretch big who shoots 38% from 3 for his career would really help open up the offence in the half court. Having JJJ next to him will help cover up some of the defensive flaws he has, and they get a couple extra assets.

For Dallas, they get a player who addresses arguably their one biggest need: rebounding. The Mavericks were a terrible rebounding team on both ends of the court, so bringing one of the strongest, best rebounding centers in the NBA will really help solidify the Mavericks as contenders.

Free Agency

• Resign Kyrie Irving to a 3 year max contract starting at 46.9 million

• Sign Jalen McDaniels with the MLE at 3 years, 4 million each (could be more up to 7 million per)

• Sign Torrey Craig for a one year minimum

• Resign Theo Pinson for a one year minimum

After the trades here, the Mavs first priority is resigning Kyrie Irving. Here he gets a three year max deal. They then bring on two more solid wings who can give you minutes in the playoffs in McDaniels and Craig. They also resign Pinson, who is key to the Mavs locker room culture.

Rotation

Starters in italics

PG: Luka Doncic/Jaden Hardy/Theo Pinson

SG: Kyrie Irving/Alec Burks/Reggie Bullock

SF: Josh Green/Jalen McDaniels/Torrey Craig

PF: Isaiah Stewart/Maxi Kleber/Otto Porter Jr

C: Steven Adams/Chris Boucher/Javale McGee

Summary

Ultimately through these moves the Mavs address their main weaknesses, and surround their two stars with capable role players who can help buoy the team in the regular season, and play off of the stars in crunch time and the playoffs. The Mavs would be much bigger, much stronger defensively, and still have great spacing and versatility offensively.