The Dallas Mavericks might have a plan after all. After making what many have considered a downright terrible trade in which they sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, they might have their Doncic replacement lined up.
The Athletic’s David Aldridge, Sam Amick, and Anthony Slater reported that the Mavericks’ newest target is Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant.
“League sources say the Dallas Mavericks… have dreams of adding Durant to their Davis-Kyrie Irving-led group. While the likelihood of Dallas pulling this off now appears unlikely, the mere idea of Durant joining Dallas’ star-studded group sheds new light on the thinking of Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison after he was roundly ridiculed for the Dončić deal,” they wrote.
Dallas is not alone in this. They added in their report that the Houston Rockets are also among the teams interested in trading for Durant. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that the Golden State Warriors are trying to orchestrate a reunion with Durant.
This report also refutes Jake Fischer’s earlier report that Dallas was not interested in Durant (or Jimmy Butler, for that matter).
Durant would be very expensive to acquire. To make this trade, the Mavericks would have to gut their depth and likely their entire draft capital to even get the Suns’ attention.
If the Mavericks did this, perhaps those criticizing the Doncic trade might be more forgiving of their front office for what they just did. Durant is not the same player as Doncic but he is around his level. If Dallas went on to win the championship with Durant on the team, that would certainly win back some of the fan approval.
It makes sense that Dallas would do this, too, because their current roster isn’t strong enough to make a legitimate title run. Also, Durant and Irving are close friends and have been teammates before, so there wouldn’t be a locker room issue.
MORE MAVERICKS NEWS: When will Anthony Davis play for the Mavericks? Latest updates on Dallas debut date after trade from Lakers
