5 Offseason trades that make the Dallas Mavericks title contenders

3. Kyle Lowry package

This trade is a bit of an odd one, and some Dallas Mavericks fans might turn their head away at the idea. But in the long run, it could actually make some sense—while also helping them win immediately.

First and foremost, while Kyle Lowry didn’t have a great regular season, he’s been showing out in the playoffs. If he can bring a little of that to the regular season next year and then turn up in the postseason again, he’d be a nice piece in Dallas.

Plus, he’s an underrated defender at the guard position. His scrappiness and willingness to put his body on the line make him a nuisance on that end of the court.

As for Max Strus, he’s shown signs of being an elite role player with the Miami Heat. If Dallas could sign him to a three-to-four-year deal for roughly $12-$15 million, it could be a solid value.

That’s all without mentioning the fact that Miami’s 2027 first-rounder could be valuable if Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving are retired by then.

And if Irving wants to leave, this deal could help keep the Mavericks relevant while adding a bit of extra depth.

For the Heat, this deal would add another star to the mix and create a core of Butler, Irving, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro. Plus, this would allow them to re-sign Gabe Vincent instead of Strus and bank on Duncan Robinson getting back to normal and taking over the sharpshooter role from Strus.