5 Trades that get Davis Bertans off the Mavericks roster

The Dallas Mavericks must upgrade their roster around Luka Doncic this offseason. Their fears of him requesting a trade will only grow if the team struggles next season. Dallas needs to re-sign Kyrie Irving, and they must add more talent around their superstar duo if they want to get back into contention.

It is no secret that the Mavericks are shopping the tenth pick ahead of Thursday’s draft. Marc Stein reported that Dallas would like to attach the pick (subscription required) to the contract of Davis Bertans, JaVale McGee, or Tim Hardaway Jr. to create some flexibility. It is unclear what offers Dallas has received, but throwing in a bad contract will limit the return.

What could Dallas do ahead of Thursday’s draft to dump Bertans? He is owed $17 million in the coming season and at least $5 million guaranteed for the following year. The Mavs would love to move on, but what trades work?

Trades that allow Dallas Mavericks to dump Davis Bertans

5. Hawks and Mavs compromise on recent rumors

Jake Fischer reported that Dallas discussed a framework of trading back from ten to 15 with the Hawks. He noted that it involved Atlanta sending John Collins to Dallas for Davis Bertans.

There was little traction there as the Mavericks would prefer Clint Capela. Could the two sides compromise and make a wild trade like this on draft night?

The Hawks are rumored to be interested in Dereck Lively (subscription required), so they would have zero issues of trading two big men to Dallas. They get back two rotation pieces and move into the top ten. The Mavs instantly remake their frontcourt and still have a top-15 pick on Thursday night.

This feels like a win-win trade for both sides, but the Hawks are reluctant to give up Clint Capela. They have a replacement waiting in Onyeka Okongwu, but Atlanta views Capela as the perfect big-man partner for Trae Young.

If the Atlanta Hawks want to move up in the 2023 NBA Draft, they could be forced to move Capela, but that remains to be seen. If the Hawks turn Dallas down, the Mavericks could offer up a dream trade to Brooklyn.

4. Nets move up to 10 as Mavericks get back Doe-Doe

The Mavs fell apart down the stretch and missed the postseason entirely after trading for Kyrie Irving. Their already shaky defense got worse, and Dallas could not stop any team. Trading away your best perimeter defender can do that, and it impacted morale as Dorian Finney-Smith was beloved by his teammates.

Can the Mavs get him back? The Nets have a logjam on the wing and are rumored to be shopping Doe-Doe and Royce O’Neale.

The Nets plan on trying to stay in contention with Mikal Bridges leading their charge, but they need a star talent to make a deep run. Getting a top selection gives them a bite at the apple and allows them to add a talented young player to develop. Brooklyn does not control their picks, so trading into the top ten could be of significant interest to Sean Marks and company.

The Mavericks get Finney-Smith back to lead their defense, and they can still add a talented prospect at 21. Dallas might be able to find a more NBA-ready option that can immediately slot into their rotation and make an impact.

Would the Brooklyn Nets make this trade? They are hoping to get at least one first-round pick for Dorian Finney-Smith, but moving into the top ten could be attractive enough to convince them to make the deal.

3. Mavericks move down to get starting center

The Mavs have to address the center position this offseason. They signed JaVale McGee last summer to start over Dwight Powell, but he was quickly dropped from the rotation. Christian Wood was not the answer, which left Powell as the only option. Dallas struggled mightily to rebound and protect the rim all season, and they have to find an upgrade this summer.

The Pelicans want to move up in the draft, and they could be ready to move on from Jonas Valanciunas as he enters the final year of his contract. Could that lead the two sides to strike a draft night deal?

New Orleans may ask for more after Valanciunas averaged 14.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 24.9 minutes per game last season. He may not solve the Mavericks' rim protection issues, but JV is an elite rebounder that can stretch the floor. Valanciunas would make Dallas’ offense that much more dangerous as they look to jump back into contention.

The Mavs could still add a talented rookie at 14, and they get to dump their worst contract. It feels like this deal needs a second-round pick heading to New Orleans, but Dallas does not have one to offer. If the Pelicans get locked in on a prospect that is still on the board at ten, they could be willing to make this deal, so stay tuned. 

2. Mavericks get an additional 1st and dump Davis Bertans on Jazz

The Utah Jazz are rumored to be searching for a trade-up to acquire a second lottery selection in Thursday’s draft. They would be packaging 16 and 28 overall to try to get into the top ten. The Mavs are their most likely option, and it could be a win-win for both sides.

Dallas gets a talented forward that can help them on both ends of the floor, and two first-round picks to add to their roster. The Mavericks need depth, and they get to add three quality pieces in this deal. If the Jazz are willing to take back Bertans, this could be an easy trade to make on draft night.

Utah would have back-to-back picks at nine and ten where they could add their point guard of the present and future along with a talented wing prospect. The Jazz are in the early stages of a rebuild and could be eager to add two top-ten picks to their core of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.

The Dallas Mavericks want to get a key contributor in exchange for the tenth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Is Kelly Olynyk good enough? With so many teams shopping their first-round pick, it could be the best that Dallas can do, but they will hold out for a trade that looks more like this.

1. Mavericks target win-now help as Pistons move way up

The Detroit Pistons are rumored to be shopping the fifth overall pick, but what if they want to move up for a second top-ten pick? The Pistons are still in rebuilding mode and could be looking to amass more young talent before pushing for contention.

This may seem light for Detroit, but Tim Hardaway Jr. gives them a floor-spacing wing that would help make up for the loss of Bogdanovic. The Pistons were 22nd in 3-point percentage last season and 19th in 3-point attempts, so they need shooters. Detroit also adds a second top-ten pick that should give them one of the best young cores in the NBA.

The Mavericks get two starters from this trade. Detroit has too many big men, and they could be eager to clear that logjam. Dallas also adds the top pick in the second round, and general manager Nico Harrison proved he can find value in that range when he selected Jaden Hardy last year.

The Detroit Pistons will ask for more for Bogdanovic and Stewart, but a top-ten pick has significant value, especially if a prospect the Pistons want is still on the board. That could lead to a wild deal that is a win-win for both sides.

Will the Dallas Mavericks trade Davis Bertans during the 2023 NBA Draft? Stay tuned to find out.