Dallas Mavericks: Should they trade draft picks for role players?

Case for the Dallas Mavericks trading draft picks for talent now

The Mavs would unquestionably be a better team with Goran Dragic or Lauri Markkanen on the roster right now. Is it worth trading draft picks to acquire those players? If the Mavericks’ goal is to win as much as possible right now, why should they care? Future draft pick cannot score a bucket or grab a rebound or make a pass. Talented basketball players can accomplish those things.

The bigger reason is the happiness of Luka Doncic. Yes, the 22-year-old just signed a five-year extension, but superstars have the power in the NBA. Doncic can opt out in 2026 and become an unrestricted free agent. A trade demand in 2025 would have to be honored by the Mavericks, which leaves Dallas four years to build a winner around Luka.

The 2021 playoffs proved the Mavs do not have enough talent. Doncic averaged 35.7 points, 10.3 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game, but the Clippers still defeated Dallas in the first round. Simply put, Luka’s supporting cast was not good enough to pull off a win. The Mavericks pushed the series to seven games. They are close to being in the title hunt. The right role player could push Dallas up the mountain, but how far.

Winning a championship without two All-Star talents is nearly impossible. Kristaps Porzingis would have to raise his play to be at that level, so how can Dallas acquired another star next to Luka Doncic?