After 2 p.m. Thursday, we knew at least one truth about the future of the Dallas Mavericks: They’re committed to rebuilding around Cooper Flagg.
Trading Anthony Davis and a trio of point guards before this week’s midseason deadline wasn’t a surprise, but the package the Mavericks received in return was, given the injured big man’s depleted value.
Dallas traded the 10-time All-Star forward to the Washington Wizards, along with seldom-used point guards Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum, in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley III and five incoming draft picks.
As part of a three-team trade, the Wizards re-routed Malaki Branham to the Charlotte Hornets and the Mavericks reached an agreement to acquire received veteran point guard Tyus Jones less than 30 minutes before Thursday’s 2 p.m. deadline.
Mavericks
Related
The transactions function purely as a salary dump and an attempt to recoup draft picks, all for the purpose of constructing a roster around Flagg.
In their first media availability since being named co-interim general managers, Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi cited a need to restore the franchise’s winning culture while also establishing the desire to return to construct a championship roster around Flagg.
“We had to take an honest look at ourselves in the mirror and realize where we were and where we wanted to be,” Riccardi said. “Sometimes the path is not straightforward. Sometimes, you gotta go a little roundabout way to get to get where we want to go.”
The first goal for Riccardi and Finley, shedding salary, was accomplished by acquiring players with contracts that expire at the end of this season. The combined salaries of Middleton [$33.3 million], Bagley [$2.3 million] and Jones [$7 million] could be off the books when the Mavericks enter the offseason.
They are $43 million under the luxury tax for this season, which could skyrocket to $81 million next season, giving them the flexibility to pursue a top free agent or facilitate another significant trade.
The new Mavericks are expected to fly into Dallas on Friday morning and could be active for Saturday’s game in San Antonio if they pass their physicals.
That financial freedom wasn’t possible without trading the contracts of Davis, Hardy, Russell and Exum.
Clearing cap space was a priority, but so was bolstering draft assets to select younger players who better align with the timeline of Dallas’ 19-year-old rookie and the rebuild awaiting the Mavericks. By acquiring two first-round picks and three second-round picks, they made out better than anticipated.
TradedAcquiredAnthony DavisKhris MiddletonJaden HardyTyus Jones from CHA via Malaki BranhamD’Angelo RussellMarvin Bagley IIIDante ExumAJ Johnson2026 first-round pick via OKC, LAC or HOU2030 first-round pick via GSW2026 second-round pick via PHX2027 second-round pick via CHI2029 second-round pick via HOU
Before Wednesday’s trade, the Mavericks had only one pick for this summer’s draft. Now they’ll enter with three selections, thanks to an additional second-round pick that belonged to the Phoenix Suns.
The first-rounder they acquired from Washington will be the least favorable between the LA Clippers, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City. The Thunder own the best record in the NBA, so the pick will most likely convey from the defending champions and be toward the end of the first round. It currently stands at No. 30, which will complement wherever Dallas lands in the lottery.
“I think the draft compensation is good,” Finley said. “You take a look at our roster now. We have an unbelievable player in Cooper Flagg so it’s our job to put the right pieces around him. When you have that draft capital, it gives yourself the ability to put proper pieces around him.”
The Mavericks also received a 2030 first-round pick that originally belonged to the Golden State Warriors, but it’s protected, so Dallas can only keep the selection if it falls between Nos. 21 through 30.
They also have two more second-rounders in 2027 [via Chicago] and 2029 [via Houston] thanks to the Davis trade, but their first-round pick that year will belong to Charlotte if the selection falls within picks 3 through 30.
So where does that leave Dallas? The final 32 games of the season will be about the development of Flagg and further assessing the roster to figure out which players are long-term fits alongside the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year.
P.J. Washington was the only Mavericks player who could not be moved midseason because the four-year contract extension he signed had a trade restriction until March 3. Daniel Gafford garnered interest from the Indiana Pacers, but Dallas didn’t deem it necessary to move the big man after parting ways with Davis.
Trade conversations could be revisited during the offseason when the market improves and teams either change their priorities and/or price points for certain assets.
Next season, if these players remain Mavericks, coach Jason Kidd could deploy a starting lineup of Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Flagg, Washington/Naji Marshall and Gafford/Dereck Lively II.
Finley was asked how much Irving is part of the team’s longterm vision alongside Flagg.
“Kyrie is the consummate pro,” Finley said. “Any young guy would want a guy like Kyrie on their team. Kyrie has the ultimate respect for Cooper. He loves the kid’s work ethic. He loves the kid’s love for the game. I think Kyrie is embracing the role as a mentor to Cooper. It’s going to be amazing to have a chance to see those guys on the court and play together.”
That seven-player core, featured by Flagg and Irving, along with Klay Thompson, could prove competitive with an anticipated lottery pick in what’s being touted as a strong draft class.
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.