Mavericks make horrendous trade for starting center in mock move by Bleacher Report

Dallas Mavericks training camp is just a day away, and there are plenty of question marks heading into this season.

No one knows who is going to start on the wing or at center on opening night, and Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said that rookies Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Dereck Lively II will start at camp and in the early preseason, but it is unclear if that will persist into the season.

Dallas has been in trade rumors all offseason for a new center, but if Lively II is a great fit next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, he could be the opening night starter.

Mavericks make horrendous trade for starting center in mock move by Bleacher Report

If Lively II isn't the best fit, Dallas could look to start Dwight Powell or even Richaun Holmes. Powell already has great chemistry with Doncic, while Holmes is looking to prove something after being underutilized by the Sacramento Kings last season.

Dallas' starting center spot isn't the strongest part of their lineup, and everyone knows that. In this suggested trade by Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey, Dallas lands a new starting center from the Atlanta Hawks while shipping off considerable assets.

In this trade, Dallas essentially gives up Lively II before he even plays a game, ships off arguably one of their best assets which is their 2027 first-round pick, and Tim Hardaway Jr., in exchange for Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson.

Capela has been a rumored target for Dallas for some time now, but trading for him at this price is unpractical for Dallas. They give up their first-round pick from this year (Lively II) and a future first-rounder for two years of Capela and a young forward in Johnson.

Atlanta would be thrilled if they can make this trade as they land Onyeka Okongwu's backup in Lively II, a great shooter in Hardaway Jr. (who's also already played in Atlanta), and a great asset in the 2027 first-round pick.

This trade would make no sense for Dallas, and although they land the starting center they've been chasing in Capela, they do it for much too high of a price.

This move would cripple Dallas, as they would lose two of their best assets for two years of Capela and a young forward that may not even play. This move could propel them into Finals contention if Capela plays at an elite level, but if not, this trade would be a massive failure for the Mavs.

We'll have you covered with all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks from training camp later this week, so stay tuned.