This is a prediction.
To begin the season, the Dallas Mavericks have continued on their downward spiral since the Luka Doncic trade. They’re now 10-16, and the path to the playoffs is quite murky.
This roster still lacks a clear identity; life after Luka has brought real instability.
The offense drifts in and out of rhythm, turnovers pile up, and defensive effort fluctuates from night to night. If Dallas wants to reset its direction instead of chasing quick scoring spikes, trading Klay Thompson may become the move that helps alter the franchise’s direction.
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Klay Thompson to the Magic: Potential Trade Idea
Mavericks receive: Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac
Magic receive: Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall
On paper, this deal looks like a classic needs-based swap, but it also considers timelines and fit.
Wendell Carter Jr. Brings Stability Inside to Dallas
Carter has been one of Orlando’s steadiest contributors all season, even if it hasn’t drawn much attention. In 22 games, he’s putting up 11.7 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting better than 52 percent overall and over 41 percent from deep. That shooting changes the floor.
He crashes the boards, threatens to post a double-double any night, and has shown real feel as a passer with a few five- and six-assist outings. He also protects the rim well.
Put it all together, and you get a reliable, low-maintenance center who fits next to almost any lineup. For a Dallas team that keeps losing physical battles inside, Carter offers a straightforward solution.
Jonathan Isaac Adds Defense
Isaac is the swing piece. When he’s healthy, he disrupts games as well as almost anyone in the league. His length and instincts let him guard across positions, and coaches can build creative defensive looks around him.
Offense stays a bonus, not the expectation. His scoring remains limited, and injuries have kept his role in check. That wouldn’t matter for Dallas. They’d be buying elite defensive versatility and the kind of lineup flexibility that matters when games slow down and possessions tighten.
Klay Thompson Adds Shooting in Orlando
Orlando struggles most when the game slows down, and Thompson fixes that right away. Even in a smaller role, he fires away with confidence and can flip a quarter by knocking down two or three deep balls in a hurry.
He puts up 11 points a night in limited minutes and still drills upwards of 35 percent of shots from deep on high volume. The upside hasn’t disappeared, although he’s had some rough stretches this season.
Alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, Thompson’s shooting gravity matters more than the box score.
Naji Marshall Rounds Out the Magic’s Wing Rotation
Marshall gives Orlando a dependable two-way wing who fits in without needing the offense to bend around him. When defenses slip, he makes them pay, and his playmaking keeps possessions flowing.
He won’t carry the spotlight, but he shows up every night. For a young group still figuring out how to win on a regular basis, that kind of reliability matters.
Overall Impacts
Dallas doesn’t need scoring bursts that pad box scores but fail to swing games. It needs balance, toughness inside, and reliable defense. This trade addresses those needs.
Orlando accepts more risk in exchange for offensive upside. If Thompson can roll back the clock to some degree, he’ll add a valuable dynamic within the Magic’s offense.