Mavericks' perfect trade deadline plan is already painfully obvious

The Dallas Mavericks' first preseason game is still three weeks away, but their plans for next season's trade deadline can already be predicted based on context clues from this offseason, along with the roster construction. The Mavericks seem to like the roster they have put around Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, and unless something unexpected happens, it wouldn't be a shock for Dallas to stand pat.

This doesn't mean that the Mavericks won't explore the trade market to improve at the deadline, as Nico Harrison has made trades every year that he has been Dallas' GM, and this year likely won't be any different unless the Mavs are playing out of their minds.

Surviving without Irving will be the main talking point of the first half of the season, and if their guard play is struggling, they could explore trading for an upgrade in that department by sending a player like Daniel Gafford elsewhere.

Guard play will define Dallas' trade deadline decisions

The Mavericks doubled down on their double-big strategy by giving Gafford a three-year extension earlier this offseason, but since the contract narrowly avoided a six-month trade restriction, it was also a nonverbal signal that he could end up being expendable next season. Gafford was involved in some trade rumors just last season, and the Mavs could end up moving him if they desperately need an upgrade at guard.

He'd likely command the best value of any player that Dallas would potentially include in any trade talks next season, and his game speaks for itself. The Mavericks aren't just going to give him up for nothing, as they wouldn't have extended him if they didn't like his future potential, but his productive year last season could have teams calling if he continues to play at a high level.

Last season for the Mavericks, Gafford averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 70.2 percent from the floor. He was effective both off the bench and as a starter with his rim protection and dominant inside scoring, but with the Mavs' excess of frontcourt depth, he could be moved before the trade deadline to balance the backcourt.

All eyes will be on D'Angelo Russell's play as the stopgap guard while Irving recovers, and his play could quietly decide if the Mavericks need to make a trade or not. He will be a swing factor for the team's performance during the beginning of the season, and if he excels and returns to his peak form after a down year with the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, the Mavs may not need to make a trade after all.

But if Russell struggles and Brandon Williams and Dante Exum don't provide the depth that Jason Kidd needs behind him, a trade for another guard seems probable. While trading Gafford or a different high-level role player for another playmaker would be short-sighted, the Mavs can't afford to waste any time. Davis and Irving are only going to get older, and even though Cooper Flagg is only going to be a rookie next year, they still have to prioritize winning right now as much as they can.

Walking the tightrope of focusing on two timelines won't be easy for Harrison, but this is the plan that he is dedicated to for now, and this likely won't change before next season's trade deadline.

The Mavericks have the chance to be a dangerous contender next season, especially if Irving comes back earlier than expected and returns to his All-Star form, and their trade deadline plans will likely all hinge upon Irving's predicted return, Russell's performance as the starter, and whether Kidd can properly distribute minutes amid an overloaded frontcourt.