The Dallas Mavericks have some tough decisions to make over the next few months, and they could come in the form of trading some of their top players for a player of a different need.
With Kyrie Irving expected to be out for much of the campaign, the Mavericks could use another point guard, and there might be one available in the form of Los Angeles Lakers youngster Austin Reaves.
However, for the Mavericks to move on from somebody like Dereck Lively in this trade, they'd have to get back Reaves. Moving Lively to the Lakers, despite Los Angeles needing a center more than nearly every other team in the NBA, wouldn’t make much sense if Reaves isn't involved in the deal.
In a proposed trade idea from Jackson Caudell of Sports Illustrated, the Mavericks would get just that. The trade would move much more, but there's reason to believe it could work out for Dallas.
Hawks receive: Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington
Mavericks receive: Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Georges Niang, Shake Milton, a 2027 second-round pick (via CLE from ATL), and a 2029 second-round pick (via CLE from ATL)
Lakers receive: Dereck Lively II and Terance Mann
“While losing Lively might hurt, Reaves is just what this team needs and can lead the team while Irving is hurt. They still have Daniel Gafford and when Irving gets back, he and Reaves fit together alongside Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis and Gafford.
“Knecht is a prospect who they can see how he fits with the team and Niang is a veteran forward who can provide shooting in the regular season. With this deal, they can compete for the playoffs in the tough Western Conference,” he wrote.
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Receiving other assets in return, on top of that, could be something the Mavericks are interested in.
While Reaves isn't the same caliber player as Irving, and there aren't many players around the NBA who are, he's a decent player and somebody who could certainly fill the gaps for now.