The Dallas Mavericks enter the break in a familiar but uneasy position — competitive enough to remain in the Western Conference play-in race, yet unsettled about what direction the franchise should ultimately take. A recent surge has steadied the season on the surface, but it has not resolved the larger questions facing a team navigating transition both on the court and in the front office.

Dallas has won four of its last five games to move to 9-16, sitting 11th in the West, and moved into the final play-in spot on Thursday. Still, the standings offer only a partial snapshot of where the organization stands after the midseason dismissal of Nico Harrison, a move that left the Mavericks without a clearly defined long-term roadmap as the trade market begins to take shape.

That uncertainty has positioned Dallas as a team willing to listen rather than dictate, with several veteran players remaining available in the right scenario. How aggressively the Mavericks act — or choose not to — will be shaped by how they balance short-term competitiveness with a broader vision centered on Cooper Flagg’s development, a calculus that continues to influence decisions at every level of the roster.

For now, the Mavericks have resisted the urge to force clarity prematurely, and the leaguewide read is that Dallas is staying opportunistic rather than operating as an active seller, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. Instead of pushing a single agenda, the Mavericks have maintained an open stance that allows them to gauge the market while continuing to evaluate the roster internally.

That posture applies most clearly to a group of veterans whose names have surfaced in conversations since early in the season. The Mavericks’ potential trade candidates have remained consistent — including a willingness to entertain offers for Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and D’Angelo Russell — but the team is not aggressively shopping those players, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. The internal view is that any deal must clearly improve Dallas’ long-term outlook, whether through added flexibility, future assets, or a cleaner roster fit.

The current read on Kyrie Irving’s future in Dallas is that the Mavericks want to see him play next to Cooper Flagg and believe Irving can benefit Flagg’s development, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. Dallas sees value in having a dynamic scoring guard who possesses elite gravity and can help draw the toughest on-ball defender, a role the organization believes can help stabilize the offense while Flagg grows into a larger burden.

That belief has shaped how Dallas is sequencing its decisions as trade season approaches. Rather than committing to a hard reset or making short-term moves to chase the play-in at all costs, the Mavericks are attempting to preserve optionality while determining which veterans best fit the early stages of the Flagg timeline. The result is a team operating in a narrow middle ground — competitive enough to stay relevant in the standings, but still very much in evaluation mode as the front office continues to settle after the Harrison dismissal.

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis remains the most consequential variable in the Mavericks’ evolving trade calculus. Davis, who will turn 33 in March, is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million contract extension beginning Aug. 6. As his contract currently stands, he could enter free agency as early as 2027 by declining his $62.8 million player option, a reality that places pressure on the Mavericks to determine whether he fits their longer-term vision, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com.

“The Mavericks are going to want to see how this team looks with AD and Kyrie,” one source said. “There is no sense in trying to just get rid of AD. The market has to be where they want to make a deal. If there isn’t a good enough deal on the table, I don’t see a deal getting done. They’d get another look at the trade market or evaluate an extension in the summer.”

That internal stance has placed Dallas in what multiple league figures describe as an eventual “extend-or-trade” scenario — a familiar inflection point for stars entering their mid-30s with looming extension eligibility.

“This is trending toward being an extend or trade situation,” one source said. “That’s usually how it goes with a star in their 30s when extension eligibility comes up. The Mavs will have to act relatively soon.”

On the floor, Davis has been productive in limited action. He has averaged 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 10 games this season, reinforcing the belief that he can still impact games at a high level when healthy.

ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, and Toronto Raptors are among the teams expected to explore trade scenarios, with potential packages centered on role players, draft compensation, and — in some cases — expiring contracts. However, there is skepticism about the actual interest level of these potential suitors, sources said.

Detroit’s emergence has complicated its own calculus. The Pistons have opened the season 19-5, and league observers believe a major trade could risk disrupting a roster that has found early chemistry. Central to that rise has been Jalen Duren’s breakout, as he has averaged 18.8 points and 11.5 rebounds while shooting 65.5% from the floor, positioning himself as a leading Most Improved Player candidate ahead of restricted free agency.

“Detroit has it rolling right now. Duren has taken that next step, and they’re going to have to pay him soon. I doubt they’re going to want to risk messing this up,” one source said. “I don’t see it right now.”

Atlanta presents a different set of complications. The Hawks sit 14-11 and rank ninth in the Eastern Conference, with Trae Young nearing a return after missing 20 games. In his absence, Atlanta has gone 12-8, a stretch that has coincided with Jalen Johnson’s ascension into All-Star consideration.

“Atlanta already has to resolve Trae’s future. Adding a star like [Davis] — who doesn’t fit their timeline —right before he needs a contract extension is tough to see happening,” one source said. “Jalen Johnson is playing at an All-NBA level. They have a lot of good young players. They can be patient. They even have great odds to end up with a top-three pick to add another key guy.”

Toronto, however, is viewed by multiple league figures as the cleanest basketball fit of the three reported potential suitors. The Raptors sit 15-11, fifth in the Eastern Conference, with a realistic path as high as third. While Toronto boasts depth and versatility, there is a belief that adding a proven All-Star could elevate the team into a more serious postseason threat.

“Toronto needs another piece to make a serious push. They need to upgrade from Poeltl,” one source said. “This is the cleanest basketball fit for AD of the three. He could be a go-to guy and anchor their defense.”

One league source also pointed to recent business dealings between Klutch Sports Group and Toronto as a potential connective thread that could matter if meaningful discussions were to occur.

“It took a while for Brandon Ingram to find the money he was looking for before getting out of New Orleans. Klutch got that done with Toronto’s front office,” one source said. “I don’t think he would have gotten that type of money had he hit the market. If they want Davis, they’ll be aggressive.”

For now, Dallas remains in a holding pattern — evaluating the market, weighing extension possibilities, and resisting pressure to force a decision before clarity emerges.

Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson’s situation reflects a quieter inflection point for the Mavericks as they weigh short-term competitiveness against longer-term direction.

Through 23 games this season, Thompson is averaging 11.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. While those numbers reflect a reduced offensive impact, they have not altered how he is viewed around the NBA — as a proven shooter, playoff-tested veteran, and potential difference-maker in the right environment.

Now in his second season in Dallas, Thompson has maintained a positive, professional outlook through the ups and downs of a turbulent stretch for the franchise, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. If discussions were to escalate, the Mavericks are expected to be considerate of Thompson’s situation and the competitive context of any potential destination.

“This is obviously not what he signed up for — he was supposed to be a missing piece with Luka and Kyrie,” one source told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “He’s a pro. He’s found the positives, even through shooting slumps.”

Thompson’s value remains clear in specific contexts. When his shot is falling, he is one of the few players in the league who still commands legitimate half-court gravity, forcing defenses to stay attached well beyond the arc and creating space for others to operate. That spacing continues to be viewed internally as a meaningful asset, particularly alongside high-usage creators.

Dereck Lively II

Dereck Lively II’s season has come to an abrupt end, forcing the Mavericks to absorb another significant setback in an already turbulent year.

Lively is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot, with the procedure to be performed by Dr. James Calder at the Fortius Clinic in London. The Mavericks expect Lively to make a full recovery and be available for the start of training camp, a timeline that keeps his long-term outlook intact despite the immediate loss, the team announced.

“Dereck has handled every challenge of this season with professionalism and resilience,” Dallas Mavericks Co-Interim General Manager Matt Riccardi said. “While this is a setback, we’re confident in his long-term future and will support him fully through his recovery.”

Before being shut down, Lively appeared in seven games this season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while continuing to factor into Dallas’ frontcourt rotation.

Lively’s absence further complicates an already fragile frontcourt rotation that has defined the Mavericks’ season. Injuries and limited lineup continuity have made it difficult for Dallas to properly evaluate several roster combinations, particularly alongside Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford.

For the Mavericks, the focus now shifts to ensuring Lively’s recovery is handled deliberately and without shortcuts. While his season is over, the organization remains confident that this decision positions him — and the team — for a healthier reset moving forward.

Ryan Nembhard

Based on the current roster landscape, creating a roster spot for Ryan Nembhard to earn a standard NBA contract is a clear development to monitor, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com. Unless Dallas reduces its payroll in a salary dump trade, the earliest the team can convert Nembhard’s two-way deal is Jan. 6 due to current salary cap restrictions.

Nembhard has helped stabilize the backcourt during that stretch, averaging 8.9 points and 4.8 assists in 12 games this season while taking on an expanded role as a primary ball-handler. He has elevated his production, averaging 14.8 points and 6.8 assists in six starts.

“He kind of saved their season,” one NBA scout said. “They were desperate for a legit point guard that can control the game and get others involved. He’s doing it at a high level. They need to get a deal done as soon as possible.”

Nembhard’s rise since leaving Gonzaga has been nothing short of remarkable. He recently mentioned he worked out for 20 NBA teams in addition to participating in the G League combine.

“I went to the G League combine, then I went to the real (NBA) combine, then I had 20 workouts,” Nembhard said. “You’re flying in every night, you don’t know what time you’re getting to the city, you don’t really know where you are. It’s tough. You have four years of college, then you go right into the draft process working out and getting ready for all the workouts and the combines. That’s a tough process, but it’s a process everyone has to go through.”

After stringing together several strong performances and earning a larger role in the rotation, Nembhard acknowledged that opponents have begun to take notice of his presence on the floor. While he downplayed the attention relative to the Mavericks’ established veterans, Nembhard recognized that his impact has started to register around the league as Dallas has stabilized in recent games.

“I think I’m definitely on the scouting report now, for sure,” Nembhard said. “But we’ve got so many good players that I’m sure (the opposing team’s) attention is more on those guys than me, but definitely there’s a little more attention on me. It’s been fun to get some wins with the guys. We’ve got a great group, so it’s been fun to get our joy and win some games. So it’s been cool.”

Kidd, who moved Nembhard into the starting lineup before facing the Los Angeles Lakers, noted that Nembhard’s ability to run an offense has gained everyone’s trust.

“He’s steady, guys love playing with him, and he’s taking shots that present themselves,” Kidd said. “He’s playing the game at a very high level and playing the game the right way.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo

There haven’t been any meaningful developments in the Giannis Antetokounmpo front as of late. He suffered a right calf strain on Dec. 2 against the Detroit Pistons after playing just three minutes, which will sideline him for multiple weeks. He remains ultra productive, averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, continuing his MVP-caliber impact.

The New York Knicks had a chance to be aggressive to make a trade for the two-time NBA MVP over the summer, but did not manage to do so. Regardless, the Knicks remain a team to watch for Antetokounmpo, with some members of rival front offices that have spoken with DallasHoopsJournal.com even operating with the expectation that a trade will ultimately take place.

Of course, that’s not a firm prediction. That is just the sentiment read as of Dec. 12 inside multiple NBA organizations keeping tabs on the market at large.

Other teams will have a chance to pursue Antetokounmpo. Sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com that the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs were two franchises that “held back” in trade talks for Kevin Durant despite being on his list of preferred destinations. The goal was to maintain an outlook to acquire Antetokounmpo as a greater priority.

“Houston held the cards in the KD trade market, and they knew it. That’s why it took a while,” one source said. “The Spurs and Heat never made their best possible offers.”

There are even some inside league circles that pondered if Houston could pull off a potential pairing of Durant and Antetokounmpo. However, developmental strides have since occurred within the Rockets’ young core — making such an effort difficult to envision.

“Şengün is too good to trade now,” one source said. “They want to keep that core together.”

Many teams have aspired to trade for Antetokounmpo for years. If New York fails to pull off a trade, the market can shift further to create an opening for the field. However, the read on this matter is that Milwaukee will be respectful of where the superstar wants to play if it reaches that point.

Ja Morant

One name that has remained a fixture in trade speculation is Ja Morant. However, Memphis’ outlook had begun to stabilize with the return and emergence of Zach Edey before his recent injury setback. Before being sidelined, the Grizzlies went 7-4 in games Edey played, during which he averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks — a marked contrast to the team’s struggles when he was unavailable.

Morant and Edey have logged just six minutes together this season, leaving the long-term evaluation of their on-court pairing largely incomplete as Memphis adjusts to Edey’s absence. The complications have only continued in this regard. As Morant nears a return from a lengthy recovery from a calf injury, Edey will be re-evaluated in four weeks due to a stress reaction in his ankle.

Morant, who is averaging 17.9 points and 7.6 assists across 12 performances, has long been intrigued by the potential of what he can achieve with Edey. Even before Edey played his first NBA game, Morant worked out with him in Dallas at Southern Methodist University to build chemistry, but they have been limited to 46 games played together, including the postseason.

For all the negatives discussed when Ja Morant did not see eye-to-eye with Tuomas Iisalo early this season — as we also reported — the situation has improved in Memphis while Morant has been sidelined. The Grizzlies have appreciated the leadership Morant has provided, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com. However, that will be necessary to continue, along with an All-Star level impact, as Memphis continues to navigate an injury-plagued stretch.

“He’s been active on the sidelines and eager to share input. That’s what you want to see from a leader,” one source said. “His teammates clearly gravitate to him. The next step is for that positive energy to translate when he’s playing. It seems like his relationship with Iisalo has improved lately.”

If Morant truly became available via trade — which is not currently the case — a survey of the landscape with league sources has led to some intriguing angles based on possibilities.

From NBA personnel we’ve talked to, there is skepticism about the viability of a basketball fit between Morant and the Miami Heat despite recent rumors. With the Heat utilizing much of former Grizzlies assistant coach Noah Laroshe’s offensive principles this season — featuring minimal pick-and-roll use — there are genuine questions surrounding a potential basketball fit.

“Ja was a vocal critic of Noah Laroshe’s offense behind the scenes last year. He hated it,” one source explained. “He wants to play pick-and-roll. Miami is using a lot of Laroshe’s principles this season and wants as few ball screens as possible. Unless that were to change, this isn’t a clean fit.”

The Grizzlies remain in the play-in picture for now while the Trail Blazers continue to slide. Memphis must weather another storm to remain in a sufficient position for postseason participation.

Point Guard Market

Among the teams to keep an eye regarding the point guard market include the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Sacramento Kings, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com. As salary cap logistics play out, it will become feasible for contenders operating under restrictions to make a move.

Sacramento, in particular, has been engaged in extensive background work for many months on the point guard market.

“The Kings need a long-term solution at point guard. They would love to trade Zach LaVine‘s contract,” one source said. “Those have been constants.”

The Chicago Bulls have become a team to watch as far as trading Coby White is concerned, but given that he’s playing on an expiring contract, it complicates potential trade talks, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com. Minnesota, for example, has interest, but every trade asset has to be used with the long-term in mind — complicating risk for pursuing players on expiring deals.

Indiana Pacers

It’s no secret that the Indiana Pacers need to find a more permanent replacement for Myles Turner after losing him in free agency after reaching the NBA Finals.

Gafford is viewed as a possible trade candidate for teams seeking to fill this need, sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com, but the Mavericks aren’t necessarily shopping him. Dallas is even less incentivized to trade him with Lively out for the season.

“Teams are going to have to entice the Mavericks to move off of Gafford,” one source said. “They got an extension done before the season. They can be patient.”

Additionally, one name that the organization has already conducted its due diligence on is Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. Kessler is among centers that franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton would like to play with.

Indiana is in a rare position to conduct business midseason with the 2026-27 season as the focus amid Haliburton’s ongoing recovery from an Achilles tear.

Walker Kessler

In contract discussions with the Jazz, Kessler sought upwards of $120 million in total compensation for a long-term contract extension, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com, but Utah was unwilling to commit to that price range.

“There was a clear gap in talks between Kessler and Utah,” one source said.

If Kessler hits free agency after finishing the season with the Jazz, he’d need to go out and find that type of offer on the open market to get it matched.

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