Dallas could make a splash with this move.
The Dallas Mavericks have a point guard problem, and this trade could solve it.
Kyrie Irving is expected to miss most of the 2025-26 season with a torn ACL, and the only point guards left on the roster are D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. While those two are serviceable in bursts, one writer proposed a solution that could take them to the next level.
Rohan Raman of Atlanta Hawks SI proposed a three-team deal involving the Hawks, Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs. Here are the details:
Hawks Receive:
- Caleb Martin
Spurs Receive:
- Klay Thompson
- PJ Washington
- 2030 2nd round pick (via PHI, from DAL)
- 2031 1st-round pick (via DAL, top-8 protected)
- 2032 2nd-round pick (via DAL)
Mavericks Receive:
- De'Aaron Fox
- 2027 1st-round pick (via ATL, top-5 protected)
In short, this trade would see Dallas ship out Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, a protected 2031 1st and two 2nds for De'Aaron Fox and a protected 2027 1st from Atlanta. Raman explained the rationale for Dallas to make this deal.
"After getting traded to San Antonio, the roster around De'Aaron Fox quickly fell apart due to injuries," Raman wrote. "It's hard to grade him too harshly for the decreased output of 19.7 points and 6.8 assists on 44.6/27.4/81.9 shooting splits.
"However, Fox averaged 25 points and 6.1 assists on 46.9/32.2/82.9 shooting splits in the 45 games prior to being dealt, so it's clear that he can handle a large scoring role when the pieces are reasonable around him. In Dallas, he'd have an opportunity to be the point guard until Irving returns.
"While the fit is a little questionable considering both are smaller players who aren't great defenders, the Mavericks are insulated by a defense of Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively II/Daniel Gafford. Dallas would be a true contender in the West and Fox can use the situation to increase his value on the open market next summer, where more teams have cap space and can throw a big offer his way. They also move off of a bad deal in Martin's contract."
However, Raman also explained why Dallas might not be interested in a move like this.
Raman: "Fox still needs a new deal and they'd be heavily incentivized to give him one if they dealt a first-round pick to get him. He also is a more hesitant shooter than his reputation would indicate and the fit has always been awkward when he's asked to play next to another point guard. That becomes very complicated because they already have two max contracts on their books in Davis and Irving. Handing another big deal out to Fox could handicap their future around Flagg, who is poised to be the primary option of the future for the Mavericks."
Dallas would certainly vault back into Western Conference contention with another star in Fox. Would Nico Harrison cash in his chips like this?
Category: Basketball
