The Dallas Mavericks' season is over but the future of the team is bright. Luka Doncic led them to the Western Conference Finals and through the first-seeded Phoenix Suns. Although they fell to the Golden State Warriors in five games to end their run in the NBA playoffs, the Mavs have a lot to be proud of.
However, the Mavs also have a lot of work to do. They will now have to make some big moves this offseason to make sure they can get back to the conference finals. While Doncic himself works on his shortcomings, the front office has to do the same with the roster.
The good news for Dallas is that they have several sizable contracts that can help them bring in upgrades. The bad news is that they don't have a ton of draft capital or young players to make these trades irresistible. They aren't well equipped to compete for true stars on the open market but do have the assets to acquire a number of fringe stars to help them build off of their rousing success.
If the Mavs play their cards right, they could make several big splashes in the trade market. Here are three ideas.
3 trades Mavs must make to help Luka Doncic after losing in Western Conference Finals
While Jonathan Isaac spends his time trying to make himself a hero for refusing to peacefully protest with his teammates, the Magic are preparing to add a high-level frontcourt player with their first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Isaac's days in Orlando are numbered. The Mavs could acquire Isaac in exchange for Davis Bertans and several second-round picks.
Taking on Isaac is an incredible risk, as he has not played NBA basketball since New Year's Day of 2020. Still, Bertans will not be that useful next season, anyway. The Mavs won't be losing a whole lot of production with him. The draft picks they are giving up will likely be so deep in the second round that finding useful players will be very hard.
The upside with Isaac is his extremely versatile defense. The 24-year-old would be the ideal big man for a Mavs team that loves to switch and requires lots of mobility. Isaac is long, nimble and has steadily improved his scoring efficiency in each season. He is a high-risk, high-reward player because of how he fits with Dallas.
The Indiana Pacers will be hosting a fire sale this offseason. Malcolm Brogdon will be one of the most valuable players available and the Mavs should pursue him.
The contract of Bertans or Tim Hardaway Jr. plus Josh Green, a future-first-round draft pick and another piece of draft capital could be enough for the Mavs to land Brogdon. The rebuilding Pacers would certainly entertain getting draft picks and a young wing.
A three-headed offensive beast consisting of Doncic, Brunson and Brogdon would be terrific. The 29-year-old has averaged 20.4 points and 5.9 assists over the last two seasons and was a very, very good 3-point shooter when he played with an offensive superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo, during his days on the Milwaukee Bucks. Brogdon could also provide some help with the perimeter defense.
1. Bradley Beal
The Mavs' midseason trade with the Wizards turned their season around. The subtraction of Kristaps Porzingis and the addition of Spencer Dinwiddie paid off tremendously. Dallas should go back to them again and see if they can land the real prize, Bradley Beal.
The Mavs would trade Hardaway, Green, Boban Marjanovic, Bertans and multiple first-round draft picks for Beal. The Wizards have always maintained a hard stance that they don't want to trade their three-time All-Star. Eventually, the day will come that the two sides part ways. Dallas would be wise to bombard the Wizards with draft picks until they relent.
Although he is coming off of season-ending wrist surgery, Beal's scoring abilities are undeniable. The 28-year-old would fit in extremely well alongside Doncic and as someone who can score in bunches without Doncic. Although Beal is committed to Washington, the Mavs can convince him otherwise with the chance to compete in the NBA playoffs.
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