Why Mavericks could be intriguing Kawhi Leonard trade destination

The Dallas Mavericks have a busy offseason ahead of them as they look to build a respectable team around Cooper Flagg. A large chunk of that will depend on how lucky the Mavericks get on NBA Draft lottery night, but the team also figures to once again be active on the trade market, after dealing Anthony Davis at the deadline this past season.

Recently, ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel floated an intriguing trade idea that would see the Mavericks land one of the top two-way players in the league: Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.

“This is not a report saying that this team is going to pursue him, but just looking at the numbers of what could work, and a team that wants to become more competitive, what about the Dallas Mavericks? You’ve got Cooper Flagg, who’s coming off an incredible rookie season. Kyrie Irving is coming back, you have movable contracts there… maybe that’s something that Kawhi would consider,” reported Siegel on Clutch Scoops, per ClutchPoints on X, formerly Twitter.

A tandem of Flagg, Leonard, and Irving would certainly be interesting, pairing the young star with two aging but elite veterans who can still make plays, with Leonard coming off the best regular season of his career, and Irving looking to resume his form after suffering an ACL tear last season.

Add to that a potential top pick in the upcoming draft (although they might have to give that up in order to pry Leonard away from Los Angeles), and the Mavericks would suddenly have an intriguing core of players that could theoretically contend in the Western Conference as soon as next year.

For now, the Mavericks will turn their attention to the draft lottery, which is set to get underway on March 10.