The Dallas Mavericks tipped off the Dusty May era by adding Morez Johnson Jr. next to Cooper Flagg. That was a polarizing move of sorts, given that he was projected to be taken a bit later in the first round.
Given the Mavs' frontcourt logjam, that raised questions about the roster's direction. Masai Ujiri has always been all about asset value, and he's never hesitated to pull the trigger and move on from a veteran star.
Kyrie Irving will be sought after in the trade market and might be a clear-cut candidate to find a new home this offseason. That's why, after watching the Oklahoma City Thunder operate in the draft, the Mavs can zig when everyone else is zagging.
With most eyes on Irving, the Mavs can target their point guard of the future. With Bennett Stirtz arriving in Oklahoma, the Thunder might be open to trading Nikola Topic, and he boasts enough upside to be worth the gamble.
The Mavericks should inquire about Thunder guard Nikola Topic
The Thunder already have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ajay Mitchell, and even Jared McCain, who handled some point guard duties at times. Now, with Stirtz in town, Topic is the clear odd man out, and the Mavs must take advantage of that. Not his fault, but the Thunder aren't wasting time with their championship window, and they shouldn't waste any young pieces like Topic.
Not only would adding the former first-round pick give the Mavs a clear path to getting Irving's contract off their books, but it would also give them one of the most intriguing jumbo point guards to enter the league in recent years. Speaking of money, shipping off Topic would shave off $5 million from next year's payroll for Thunder general manager Sam Presti.
Topic has been dealt a terrible hand since he arrived in the U.S., first missing his rookie season with an ACL injury and then having a bout with testicular cancer. He's barely been able to play, but he looked like a star when he played in Serbia.
Standing at 6-foot-6, he can give the Mavs another jumbo ball-handler and aggressive driver who excels at putting pressure on the rim. He's a strong finisher with both hands, a savvy playmaker, and, like most European point guards, a cerebral player who knows how to control the pace of the game, change speeds, and make the right play.
Topic isn't a great defender, and the fact that a team like the Thunder added another point guard to the mix certainly isn't encouraging. That said, it might also have to do with his contract length, as he'll be eligible for a big payday as a former first-round pick, while Stirtz gives them more time for cheap control at a lower price.
The Mavericks should be open for business and willing to trade all players not named Cooper Flagg and Johnson Jr. right now. And if someone comes knocking with a big offer for Irving, they can turn to Oklahoma for their point guard of the next decade.
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