3 Mavericks on the Chopping Block Next After Surprise Trade

The Dallas Mavericks wasted no time in making a splashy move following the 2024 NBA Draft, sending Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons for young guard Quentin Grimes.

This trade was mostly about getting Hardaway's large salary off the books, though Grimes is a promising young 3-and-D player who could prove to be a valuable addition.

Dallas knows it needs to make changes to the roster after coming up short in the NBA Finals and I expect the organization to be busy in the coming weeks. With that in mind, let's look at three Mavericks in danger of losing their place on the team next.

3 Mavericks on the Chopping Block Next

1. Markieff Morris

A veteran locker room presence nearing the end of his NBA career, Markieff Morris is a free agent and there is little reason for Dallas to bring him back. He averaged just 2.5 points per contest this year and played in only one playoff game, so his days as a Maverick should be over.

Dallas' lack of depth was exposed in the Finals against such a deep team in Boston. Finding valuable bench players is a priority for the Mavericks' front office, especially if they want to ease the load on Luka Dončić throughout the regular season.

Morris is entering his 15th year in the league. He's enjoyed a fruitful career but it's time for Dallas to move on.

Jason Kidd has praised Morris' leadership. With how young Dallas' roster is, it could make sense to keep Morris around as a Udonis Haslam-like veteran who never plays. If the journeyman is willing to take the minimum, and he might not have a choice, it's possible he signs another one-year deal.

However, I'd like to see Dallas use the roster spot on someone who actually has a chance to contribute in the playoffs. With Hardaway's $16+ million salary gone, the Mavericks could be on the verge of a trade or action in free agency and Morris isn't the best use of a roster spot.