After making the NBA Finals last season, the Dallas Mavericks are now sitting at home, left to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of a mind-bogglingly dumb trade. They, of course, traded superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and quickly spiraled after the blockbuster move.
While some of those struggles were related to injuries, it doesn't change the fact that they have a little chance of reemerging as a contender with their current roster. After all, they build their roster around Doncic only to trade him and are now left with a flawed team that won't be able to compete for a championship. That leaves them with only one option.
The Dallas Mavericks must trade Anthony Davis and tank next season.
After landing Anthony Davis to pair with Kyrie Irving, the Mavs must change course, and quickly. For the Mavericks to tank next season, they would have to make a complete 180 in regard to their roster. That would mean trading Davis this summer in hopes of restocking their depleted draft stockpile.
That would allow them to hit the reset button on their franchise and tank. Especially with Irving likely to return in January of next season. That would mean that he would miss up to three months of the year, and the Mavericks would likely struggle without him anyways.
As far as potential trade partners, the Sacramento Kings would be an interesting landing spot. They could use some of the assets received from the De'Aaron Fox deal to land Davis to pair with Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.
What could the Dallas Mavericks get for Anthony Davis if they were to trade him?
A combination of DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, Devon Carter, Minnesota's 2031 unprotected first, and another future first might be enough for the Mavs to move Davis. Additionally, they could repackage DeRozan and Monk for more assets. That would allow them to clear the decks and start the rebuild process.
All told, the Mavs must make tough decisions this summer, which could include them moving Davis shortly after acquiring him. That would facilitate a rebuild that is needed now that Dončić is no longer on the team that they built around him.
That would add insult to injury. Nevertheless, it would be better for the Mavericks in the long run rather than trying to salvage a roster that has no chance of contending as is.