The Dallas Mavericks are ready to move on from the Nico Harrison fiasco. For better or worse, Masai Ujiri has experience building a championship-caliber roster, and with Kyrie Irving returning, along with Cooper Flagg there, this core might be ready to take a big leap next season.
Ujiri is always swinging for the fences, and this team's championship window is open. As such, it wouldn't be shocking to see him try to get the ball rolling on this new era by making a big splash in the offseason.
That's why, as crazy as it may seem, there's a scenario in which the Mavericks could make a push for Kawhi Leonard. While it might be a costly move, it could take this team back to the NBA Finals in no time.
The Mavericks have a clear path to trading for Kawhi Leonard
Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers should be looking forward to a split. The Aspiration scandal might explode any time, and Steve Ballmer would probably be better off trading him and getting anything in return before the league lays the hammer on him.
The Mavericks could get Leonard and Kris Dunn in return for P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Caleb Martin, Max Christie, and a 2027 first-round pick (lottery-protected). The Clippers would have to waive two players to make room for the newcomers, but the numbers work.
Dallas has no state tax, so a frugal guy like Leonard would certainly love to be back in Texas. With him, Irving, Flagg, Naji Marshall, and Dereck Lively II, Jason Kidd would have one of the most stacked starting fives in the game, not to mention an elite wing defender to keep the likes of Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, Jamal Murray, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, or anybody else in check.
Leonard finally proved that he can stay healthy for a full season, playing at an MVP-level for the re-surging Clippers after a slow start to the campaign. Flagg has the potential to be an elite defender, and learning from one of the best to ever do it would work wonders for his development.
Ujiri is already well aware of what it takes to deal with Leonard and his now-infamous Uncle Dennis. He did what he had to do to get him to the Toronto Raptors, and they won a championship in their only year together.
Granted, there will always be injury concerns with Leonard, and the Mavs would give up some serious depth in that trade. That said, they'll have a lottery pick in this year's stacked draft and some wiggle room to make some moves.
As for the Clippers, they're likely to forfeit several draft picks and face the risk of Leonard's contract being voided. By trading him, that last problem becomes less likely, as Adam Silver won't punish another team. Also, even if they don't get to use the pick they get from the Mavs, they'd still be in a better spot than by giving up the few draft capital they currently have.
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