Dallas Mavericks Targeting Future HOFer Over the Summer

The Mavericks have a few options they could explore over the summer. On Monday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported on “The Stein Line” that the organization is linked to three veteran guards: Lonzo Ball ( Chicago Bulls), Jrue Holiday ( Boston Celtics) and Chris Paul (San Antonio Spurs).

“League sources say Dallas is expected to at least explore whether there are any feasible trade pathways to Boston’s Jrue Holiday — complicated as that would likely be given the three years and $104 million still left on Holiday’s contract — while also maintaining an interest in a far more reasonable trade target as we’ve discussed on the DLLS Mavs podcast,” Stein reported.

“Lonzo Ball…Another name to monitor for Dallas: Chris Paul. The free agent-to-be just turned 40 on May 6, but Paul also just played (and started) 82 games in his maiden season as a San Antonio Spur.”

Adding Paul, the future Hall of Fame player, could push the team’s average age and make the Dallas Mavericks the oldest team in the league next season. However, CP3 is still productive, even at 40 years old. The 12-time All-Star appeared in 82 games last season and averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists.

NBA commentator expects the Dallas Mavericks to trade their starting center

Daniel Gafford has made a name for himself as a consistent starting center with the Dallas Mavericks. Gafford is a significant reason why the team reached the NBA Finals in 2024. However, NBA commentator Bill Simmons believes the organization will let him go this offseason.

“There’s a lot of teams that need a center,” Simmons said on the ‘Bill Simmons Podcast’. “I think Gaffford’s going to be in demand, too. I think both of those guys, if Dallas tries to trade Gafford, I think he’s gonna have real value because we just see it every year — these teams like the Lakers, that killed them, that they couldn’t play Jaxson Hayes.

This could hint that the Dallas Mavericks will make a move and put Dereck Lively II at the starting spot. Or they’ll put Anthony Davis as the starting center and have him do a two-man rotation in the frontcourt with Lively.