Ranking the Dallas Mavericks' top 9 trade assets heading into the offseason

The Dallas Mavericks must improve their roster this summer after missing the playoffs. They lost 18 of their final 25 regular season games, including tanking the final two to improve their chances of keeping their top ten protected first-round pick. Without upgrades, Luka Doncic could request a trade and leave the Mavs in shambles.

The team’s top offseason priority is to re-sign Kyrie Irving. They gave up two starters and three draft picks to acquire the eight-time All-Star in February, but he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. Dallas can offer the biggest contract, but will they?

Getting Kyrie back is not enough. Dallas must upgrade their roster around their two superstars, but they won’t have cap space. The improvements will have to come through trades, and the Mavs must give to get. Here is a look at their nine positive assets that they could use this summer in deals.

Dallas Mavericks' best trade assets: 9. Tim Hardaway Jr.

THJ has become an elite shooter in Dallas that can score 15 points per game. Over the last four years combined, he has made 38.2 percent of his 3-point attempts as he averages 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Hardaway Jr. is a catch-and-shoot option that can attack a closeout.

The 31-year-old has two years and $34.1 million left on his contract. There would be interest in a 6’5 wing that shoots over 38 percent from three that is making just over $17 million per year. He could be the salary-matcher in a trade this summer that nets the Mavericks an upgrade.

Dallas has shopped Tim Hardaway Jr. since the 2022 trade deadline, but they have been unable to find a deal that improves their roster. Will it be on the table this summer? Dallas could trade THJ for a pair of second-round picks or a late first-rounder, but the Mavs want to win now. THJ helps them more than the draft capital.

8. Reggie Bullock

Bullock’s trade value is a bit difficult to gauge after a down year. He played over 30 minutes per game for just the second time in his career, but the 32-year-old averaged just 7.2 points each night, which was his lowest since 2017. He shot 38.0 percent from 3-point range, which is slightly below his career rate, but Bullock led the league in corner threes made.

The 6’6 wing played a crucial role in the team’s run to conference finals in 2022. He led the league in playoff minutes per game at 39.3 as head coach Jason Kidd struggled to take Bullock or Dorian Finney-Smith off the floor. The Mavs needed their floor spacing and perimeter defense to make their run, and Bullock responded by shooting 39.7 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs.

Bullock is 32 years old and his defense slipped a bit this season. Was it just the team’s overall defensive woes or the start of Bullock’s decline? It is too soon to tell.

Reggie Bullock only has $5.4 of his $10.5 million salary guaranteed until June 28. The Dallas Mavericks are going to guarantee his deal because it is a cheap price for a 3-and-D wing. His expiring contract is an attractive trade chip, and contenders would call because of his production.

7. Maxi Kleber

Kleber is a unique player, but how much have injuries dampened his trade value? The 31-year-old played just 37 games this season because of a hamstring tear. He returned after just two months, but Kleber struggled to regain his form. The 6’10 forward has played 59 or fewer games in three straight years, and the Mavs keep him around 25 minutes per game to try to avoid injuries.

Kleber can space the floor, protect the rim, and defend on the perimeter. 6’10 big men that can do all three are difficult to find. He was the team’s preferred center during their run to the conference finals as Kleber shot 43.6 percent from 3-point range in the 2022 playoffs.

Maxi Kleber has three years and $33 million remaining on his contract. He becomes a free agent in 2026 after his age-34 season. How will teams view his contract? When healthy, $11 million is a steal as he was the 26th-highest-paid power forward this season, according to Spotrac. Can he stay healthy? How many games can the team expect from Kleber?

His value is a bit tough to peg right now, but any contending team would love to add a 6’10 forward that spaces the floor and can switch. Maxi Kleber could be part of a blockbuster trade, especially if the other team is attempting to stay in contention.

6. Jaden Hardy

Hardy was a second-round pick in 2022, but he quickly outperformed his draft position. The 20-year-old proved that he could get buckets from anywhere on the floor as he averaged 8.8 points and shot over 40 percent from 3-point range in just 14.8 minutes per game. Per-36 minutes, Hardy produced 21.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists as a rookie.

The Mavs had a first-round grade on the 6’4 guard, and they were hoping to take him with the 26th pick before they traded it to Houston for Christian Wood. Hardy deserved to be a first-round pick, and the 20-year-old still has plenty of room to grow.

What does Hardy become? He struggled to defend, but it feels like his floor is as a sixth man that can come into the game and get buckets. The 6’4 guard is slightly undersized, but he can finish inside and keeps improving his jumper. Could he blossom into a starter and leading scorer on a rebuilding team?

What are teams willing to pay for the 20-year-old rookie? Franchises will try to buy lower because of his defensive woes as a rookie, which landed him as the team’s sixth-most valuable trade asset. Rebuilding teams could view his scoring ability differently and may be willing to pay more for the bucket-getter.

5. Josh Green

Green looked like a bust after his first two seasons, but the 22-year-old put in a ton of work before his breakout third year. The 6’5 wing cracked the Mavericks' rotation and showcased his potential. Green brings infectious energy on the defensive end of the floor along with his ability to handle the ball and run in transition.

Green’s biggest improvement came in his 3-point shooting. He was quickly played off the floor during the Mavs' run to the conference finals in 2022 as teams dared him to shoot, and he couldn’t convert. No longer as the 22-year-old shot 40.2 percent on his 169 3-point attempts this season.

Green has the makings of a modern 3-and-D wing, but all the pieces are not fully developed. He must improve his perimeter defense and ball-handling along with showing that this season’s 3-point shooting was not a fluke. At 22 years old, there is time and room to grow, and fans know that the 6’5 wing will put in the work.

Josh Green is the team’s third most important player because of what he could become. Luka Doncic, Jaden Hardy, and Green are the only three players on the Mavericks roster under 25 years old, and the latter two could be key pieces of the next contending team in Dallas. Whether they happen to be on the roster or as part of a trade remains to be seen.

4. 2027 1st round pick

This is the only pick the Mavericks can certainly trade this summer. If they keep their 2023 first-rounder, they will be able to trade the top ten selection on draft night, but that would keep the protections on their 2024 and 2025 firsts along with their 2025 second-round selection. If New York gets their 2023 pick, the Mavs would be able to trade 2024, 2025, 2026, or 2027. The Stepien Rule prevents teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive years, so Dallas would only be able to deal two picks and two swaps.

The Mavericks cannot trade their 2028 first-rounder because they owe their 2029 first to the Nets from the Kyrie Irving trade.

Unprotected picks are always valuable, but the uncertainty surrounding the Mavs after missing the playoffs could make this pick more attractive. There is a scenario where Dallas has to trade Luka Doncic or he walks in free agency, and they are rebuilding in 2027. The Mavericks do not have other picks to protect it either.

The Dallas Mavericks will likely try to package this selection with other pieces to make an upgrade this summer, but finding a significant one will not be easy.

3. 2023 1st round pick

The Mavericks owe this pick to the New York Knicks if it falls outside the top ten on lottery night. Dallas finished with the tenth-worst record, so they cannot afford to have any team jump above them on May 16. The Mavs have a 79.8 percent chance to keep this selection but is no guarantee.

Dallas will pick in the top four, tenth, or not at all. No team has more riding on the lottery. The Mavericks have a three percent chance of winning and grabbing Victor Wembanyama to pair with Luka Doncic. There is a 13.9 percent shot that Dallas moves into the top four and gets a premier prospect. Fans will be dreaming and dreading until the ping pong balls are decided.

If the Mavs send this pick to New York, they will have their 2024, 2025, and 2026 first-round picks available to trade. Dallas has pick protections on their 2024 and 2025 firsts to the Knicks, and the Stepien Rule currently prevents them from dealing 2026.

Either way, the Dallas Mavericks will have two first-round picks available to trade this summer, and they may use them both to upgrade their roster. The pressure is on, and the franchise knows it must build a contending around Luka before it is too late.

2. Kyrie Irving

Irving is a soon-to-be free agent, but that does not matter here. Dallas acquired his Bird rights, so they can offer the most money and years. No team is eager to give the eight-time All-Star a five-year deal, especially after his tumultuous tenure in Brooklyn, but Irving is a max player. The two sides will haggle over the years, but Dallas is in the pole position to re-sign him.

Even if they cannot, the Mavs should be able to get something in return for the 31-year-old superstar. Irving is an unrestricted free agent, but only rebuilding teams have cap space this summer. Kyrie is going to want to join a contender, and the only way to get there is through a sign-and-trade.

The Dallas Mavericks just gave up two starters and three draft picks to acquire Kyrie Irving from the Nets. Can they get that back in return? The 6’2 guard produced fantastic numbers in Dallas, despite the wins not coming. The Mavs should be able to get at least one first-round pick and a few pieces in any deal that sends Kyrie elsewhere. The Lakers are the most likely landing spot, and that could mean some of LA’s trade deadline acquisitions coming to Dallas.

Kyrie’s free agency is massive. The Mavs cannot afford to lose their second-best player two years in a row. They have to find a way to keep Irving, and if they cannot, something valuable has to come back to Dallas in a sign-and-trade.

1. Luka Doncic

Doncic is unquestionably the most valuable Maverick. The four-time All-Star and soon-to-be four-time All-NBA selection is only 24 years old. Luka is on pace to be an all-time great, and no team wants to be known as the franchise that had to sell the legend.

The Mavericks' failure to reach the playoffs along with Doncic’s frustration to end the season has ignited fears that he will request a trade in 2024, especially if things do not improve. Dallas had some bad luck this season. They lost a ton of close games and must upgrade his supporting cast. With the right pieces and some better fortune, the Mavs could easily be back in the conference finals in 2024.

Luka Doncic would be worth a Kevin Durant level trade package that includes every first-round pick, a handful of swaps, and a few young pieces. The Knicks, Thunder, and Jazz are primed to be at the front of the market if number 77 wants out, but the Mavericks plan to do everything in their power to prevent that.

The Dallas Mavericks must make moves this summer, but how much can they improve their roster? It is a true unknown, but it will add plenty of excitement, drama, and intrigue to the offseason. Stay tuned for all the latest.