Mavericks' home-run offseason move shouldn't even come from free agency

Free agency officially starts today in the NBA, and many deals will be agreed upon after 5 PM CT. While the Dallas Mavericks should have plenty of targets in the free agent market, the perfect addition to this team would actually be in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for their young guard, Cason Wallace. Dallas has a chance to get better on the margins in free agency, but no free agent would make as big of an impact on the Mavericks as Wallace.

With rumors going around that Wallace might be open to leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder, trading for the Dallas-native guard would be the home-run move Mavs fans are so eager for. He brings everything that the Mavs need around Cooper Flagg, and trading for him would be an incredible move.

Cason Wallace seems open to leaving Oklahoma City

According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Cason Wallace is open to leaving the Thunder (subscription required), and it would cost multiple first-round picks. This makes sense for several reasons, and the Mavericks should try to capitalize on these rumors coming out of OKC as soon as possible.

Firstly, following the Thunder's Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, Wallace was asked in his exit interview about his potential future with the Thunder. His response didn't exude confidence to Thunder fans, as he mainly stated that he's only focusing on improving his game. This leaves room to speculate whether Wallace wants an expanded role, something that he might not be able to find in OKC.

Another reason why Wallace leaving OKC would make sense is that the Thunder have a logjam in their backcourt, especially after selecting another guard — Bennet Stirtz — in the NBA Draft a week ago. The Thunder's cluster of guards this past season already included rising star Ajay Mitchell, mid-season trade acquisition Jared McCain, defensive maestro Alex Caruso, and, of course, back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Wallace might be better suited to find a bigger role elsewhere.

The Thunder's salary cap restraints are the last big reason why Wallace may want to find a new home. After recently signing big man Isaiah Hartenstein to a new three-year deal, the Thunder seem to be signaling a priority to keep the size on their roster. Oklahoma City has also picked up their option on perimeter defender Lu Dort, and while they might trade him, the Thunder have many questions to answer regarding who all they can pay. Cason Wallace might be the odd man out.

P.J. Washington could be the piece the Thunder want in a trade

One way the Mavericks could trade for Cason Wallace that would make sense for both teams is by including P.J. Washington in the deal. While it would also likely include draft capital, Washington and picks are worth it for the Mavs to acquire a guard they are in desperate need of, especially after passing on a guard with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

P.J. Washington is definitely someone to keep an eye on when it comes to potential trade targets for Oklahoma City, given their needs. Washington is a player who could actually help the Thunder win now with his size and shooting on the wing, and if the Thunder are already looking his way, a Wallace-Washington trade could be a match made in heaven for both teams.

The Mavericks also have been reported to be shopping Washington. This makes sense, given his shaky fit with Cooper Flagg and the fact that he'll be 28 by the time the next season begins. Thunder fans know what P.J. Washington can bring on the court after he was a huge difference-maker in the Mavericks' playoff series against OKC in 2024. And with the Mavs taking Morez Johnson Jr. in the draft, Washington seems even more likely to be an ideal candidate to be dealt this summer.

Wallace would fit perfectly on the Mavs next to Cooper Flagg

The Mavericks passed on selecting a guard in the NBA Draft, which means there's still a glaring hole in the roster for shooting and ball-handling. Cason Wallace would instantly provide both of these traits on the Mavs.

Masai Ujiri has emphasized the future, as well as shooting and athleticism, when talking about what he wants to prioritize for this Mavericks roster. Cooper Flagg is the clear centerpiece of this team, and gathering young players that can shoot, defend, and play off the ball is the best way to build around him. Not only does Cason Wallace fit the bill on all of those things, but he is only 22 years old and has so much room to grow in terms of playmaking and scoring.

3-and-D players are exactly what you want to have next to Cooper Flagg, and after making the All-Defensive Second Team and shooting a whopping 50 percent from beyond the arc in the Western Conference Finals this past season, Wallace would be the perfect addition to the young core the Mavs are trying to build.

Having a point-of-attack defender who is also an elite shooter to go along with a defensive frontcourt of Flagg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Dereck Lively II would set up the Mavericks brilliantly for years to come. After trading Cason Wallace in the 2023 NBA Draft for Lively II, the Mavericks could just end up with both players anyway, and it would make for a perfect offseason in Dallas.

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