Should Dallas Mavericks trade 1st round picks to add a playmaker?

Cons of Dallas Mavericks trading 1st round picks for a playmaker

Everything with the Mavs revolves around Luka Doncic. They have an all-time great player on their roster that has still not reached his peak, and Dallas cannot take that for granted. The Mavericks have to build a championship contender around him if they want him to stay long-term.

Dallas has a finite number of assets to work with in upgrading their roster. Luka’s max contract means cap space will be difficult to come by, so they need to add via trade. The Mavs took a swing on Kristaps Porzingis that did not work out, and they may only have one more chance at adding a second star.

If they trade a first-round pick before the deadline, the Mavericks will not have the assets to acquire a second star after the 2023 draft. Dallas needs a full cupboard of first-rounders to chase a co-star for Luka.

The Mavs do not want to keep chasing marginal short-term upgrades because that could be what ultimately costs them Doncic. Fans know that star players chase rings when the roster around them is not good enough. Look at LeBron James leaving Cleveland for Miami or James Harden wanting out of Houston. Trading a first-round pick for a small upgrade could be the start of a chain reaction that pushes Luka to a new home.