The Dallas Mavericks are poised to begin the 2025-26 season shorthanded in the backcourt as Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL in his left knee, which he sustained in March.
Although the Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell to a two-year, $11.7 million deal this offseason, they could still use extra reinforcements in a backcourt group that includes Klay Thompson, Dante Exum, Brandon Williams, Jaden Hardy and Max Christie.
To address that need, Cem Yolbulan of Detroit Jock City recently proposed a mock trade that would give Dallas an intriguing boost.
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Here’s Yolbulan’s proposed trade:
Mavericks receive: Jaden Ivey
Pistons receive: P.J. Washington
In this scenario, Dallas would part ways with Washington — a versatile forward who has been a mainstay in the club’s starting lineup for the past season-plus. However, the 26-year-old is also on an expiring contract and could be a logical trade chip if Dallas doesn’t plan to re-sign him to a long-term deal.
In return, Dallas would acquire Ivey, who is set to become a restricted free agent next offseason. The 23-year-old guard is coming off a broken left fibula that sidelined him for Detroit’s final 55 games in 2024-25, including the playoffs. If Detroit is hesitant to offer an extension, moving Ivey now could be a viable option.
The Purdue product holds career averages of 16.4 points, 4.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 steals across 29.9 minutes per game, while shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from three-point range.
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