The Dallas Mavericks are transitioning to a new era. As such, only Cooper Flagg should be considered untouchable this offseason, as there will be a new regime in place with the sole purpose of building around the former No. 1 pick.
As such, Masai Ujiri might tip off the post-Jason Kidd era by making the most of the Oklahoma City Thunder's playoff loss. Thunder GM Sam Presti will be working the phones and big-name hunting, and maybe the Mavs and Thunder can help one another.
Chet Holmgren's trade value might be at an all-time low after going MIA against Victor Wembanyama, but he'd certainly be a solid fit next to Flagg. As wild as this may sound, there's a way he could end up in Dallas with a league-shaking draft-day trade.
The Mavericks could pull off a big trade for Chet Holmgren
In this scenario, the Mavs would send Kyrie Irving and Ryan Nembhard, plus picks Nos. 9 and 30, to Oklahoma City in exchange for Nikola Topic, Luguentz Dort, Holmgren, and picks Nos. 12 and 17. Why on Earth would both teams do that? Let's break it down.
The Thunder don't have another creator. Ajay Mitchell is great, but he's not a starter, and adding Kyrie next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would give them a two-headed monster in the backcourt, with one taking pressure off the other.
Jason Kidd had a close relationship with him, and he's no longer in the building. Given Kyrie's volatile nature and history of jumping ship, he might not want to stay in Dallas. Also, the Thunder get two first-round picks to keep adding to their endless war chest of draft arsenal, and a solid backup PG in Nembhard.
As for the Thunder, they'd move down 3 spots in a stacked draft class, which clearly isn't ideal, but they'd move up 13 spots from their second selection. They can probably package those two first-rounders in a separate deal to move back up or just take the two rookies.
Holmgren's reputation took a big hit in the Western Conference Finals, but he's still a 24-year-old former No. 2 pick fresh off an All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA Third Team selection. He's also a perfect complement next to Flagg as another two-way guy who can give the Mavs some rim protection.
Of course, that could make Dereck Lively the odd man out, but he's dealt with so many injuries early on in his career that the Mavs might be better off with him coming off the bench or re-routing him. Also, he can coexist with Holmgren, who can space the floor with his shooting.
The Mavs can re-route Dort if they don't want him, but he could also give them a sturdy and physical defensive 3-and-D presence. He's on an expiring deal, so they could move him closer to the trade deadline if things go south.
Last but not least, Topic could be the ultimate wild card in this transaction. A major injury and a bout with cancer cost him the start of his once-promising NBA career, but he's just 20, and he may just need a change of scenery to get on the court and show what he can do.
The Thunder can't afford to wait for him and develop him with their surplus of talent, but the Mavs could probably give him starting point guard duties right away. That would give the Mavs a jumbo starting lineup with Topic, Dort, Flagg, Holmgren, and Lively while still keeping Max Christie, P.J. Washington, and two first-round picks coming off the bench.
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