The Dallas Mavericks are trying to boost the supporting cast and build a long-term contender around 21-year-old superstar Luka Doncic, and they are reportedly willing to part with their at least one of their upcoming first-round picks in order to move up in the draft and make that happen.
Dallas owns the Nos. 18 and 31 picks in the Nov. 18 draft. One potential trade partner could be the Boston Celtics, who are reportedly looking to take advantage of their three first-round picks to trade up in the draft.
“Further down the board, I’m told the Mavericks have continued to make pick No. 18 available, in search of immediate help,” writes Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated. “Rival teams expect the Celtics to try to consolidate two of their three first-round selections (No. 14, 26 and 30) in some form.”
The Mavs have already interviewed draft prospects Saddiq Bey, Tyrese Haliburton, and Desmond Bane, per Mike Fischer of Dallas Basketball SI.
Led by Doncic, Dallas showed significant improvement in 2019-20, going 43-32 before falling to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, though they played without Kristaps Porzingis for the final four games of the series in the bubble.
In fact, the Mavs have made every asset in their cabinet (besides Doncic and Porzingis) available in their efforts to form a championship squad.
Dallas is expected to make a serious run at Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo if (and when) he hits free agency after the 2020-21 season.
As it currently stands, Doncic has the second-best odds (+500) to win next season's MVP, after Antetokounmpo.
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