Mavericks trading for Wizards star could become much easier with recent rumor

On Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks played the Minnesota Timberwolves in their final matchup of the season. Fresh off of a comeback win over the Orlando Magic, the Mavericks were looking to get on a winning streak against the Timberwolves.

Unfortunately for fans in attendance, the Mavericks announced that Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were going to miss Wednesday's game with injuries. Additionally, Dereck Lively II, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dante Exum would miss Wednesday's game as well.

With a shorthanded roster, the Mavericks would fall 121-87 at home.

Mavericks trading for Wizards star could become much easier with recent rumor

Off the bench, Olivier-Maxence Prosper proved why he should get more playing time with a six-point, four-rebound performance. Prosper showcased his versatility on defense all night long by drawing the toughest defensive assignments.

After Jason Kidd's most recent comments that could be pointing to him urging the Mavericks to make a win-now trade, they could be in store for a big-time move.

Recently, Washington Wizards star Kyle Kuzma has been in trade rumors surrounding the Mavericks. The only holdback for Dallas could be that Kuzma's trade price would be too high after it was reported the Wizards wanted multiple first-round draft picks earlier this year.

Kuzma has averaged 22 points and six rebounds through 47 games this season while shooting 33 percent from behind the arc. You can argue that alongside Doncic and Irving, Kuzma's 3-point percentage could skyrocket.

With the Mavericks being the current betting favorites to land the Washington star if he doesn't remain in Washington, the Wizards may have to settle for just one first-round draft pick according to some recent rumors originally reported by David Aldridge and Josh Robbins of The Athletic. The original asking price of multiple first-round picks could be just an afterthought at this point, and this is where the Mavs come in.

Currently, the Mavs only own their 2027 first-round pick, but with potential unsettling offseasons coming in Dallas, that 2027 first-rounder could be a valuable pick.

If the Mavericks want to make a deal happen between them and Washington, they will need to include at least one of their young assets on top of their 2027 first-round draft pick. Is this enough for Washington to pull the trigger?

After falling to eighth in the Western Conference after last night's loss, Dallas could push all their chips in for Kuzma. For more updates on rumors, trades, and Dallas Mavericks basketball, stay plugged in.