Regrading 4 Mavericks trades that turned them into elite contenders in the West

The Dallas Mavericks are in the middle of an incredible run throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs, and now they have their hands full with the Minnesota Timberwolves as the Western Conference Finals begin tomorrow.

Dallas started the 2024 NBA Playoffs with a gritty series win over the LA Clippers, and they followed that up with an intense series win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Mavericks are rolling with steam at the perfect team, and the leadership from their two stars has been phenomenal. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving's bond continues to grow, and their togetherness on and off the floor is taking this Mavericks team to new heights.

Regrading 4 Mavericks trades that turned them into elite contenders in the West

Both Doncic and Irving have stepped up when their team has needed it most, but Dallas' role players have also been huge in the playoffs.

Derrick Jones Jr. has been outstanding on both ends in the playoffs, and multiple other role players have also helped the Mavs reach the Western Conference Finals. Many of these players were acquired via trade, and Nico Harrison's work in the trade market has truly helped turn this Mavericks team into a monster.

Here we regrade four trades that the Dallas Mavericks made over the last season and a half that turned them into elite contenders in the Western Conference.

4. Mavericks pull off draft night trade with Thunder and select Dereck Lively II

On the day of the draft, Mark Cuban said the Dallas Mavericks' biggest need was a rim protector. The Mavs couldn't continue to depend on Dwight Powell as their starting center if they wanted to be a true contender, and they rolled the dice on draft night as they traded for the draft rights to Dereck Lively II.

The Mavs sent the Thunder Davis Bertans and the No. 10 pick (Cason Wallace) for a Traded Player Exception and the No. 12 pick, which they used to select Dereck Lively II. Dallas needed a true 7-footer who could protect the rim for years, and that's exactly what they got right away in Lively II.

During his rookie season, Lively II averaged 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 74.7 percent from the field. Everyone knew how great Lively II was going to be right after his first game as he outplayed Victor Wembanyama, and he has been great as both a starter and off the bench.

Another underrated part of this trade is the Traded Player Exception they used to trade back into the first round and draft Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Although Prosper didn't end up having much of a role in his rookie year, all signs are pointing to him developing into a solid role player over the next few years.

The Mavs get an A+ for this trade as they got rid of one of their worst contracts (Bertans) while only trading back two spots to select Lively II. Although very different players, Lively II made a bigger difference for Dallas than Wallace did for Oklahoma City, and Lively II looks like he'll be a key piece for the Mavs for a long time.

3. Mavericks land their new starting center by trading for Daniel Gafford

Leading into the 2024 NBA trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks needed another big man other than their rookie Dereck Lively II. Lively II quickly became crucial to the team and their chances of winning, and there was a huge drop-off when Lively II was off the floor, as the next centers in the rotation were Dwight Powell and Richaun Holmes.

The Mavs had a couple of other pressing needs outside of a new backup center, but the Mavs didn't ignore their weakness at this position as they traded Richaun Holmes and a first-round pick (acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder) in exchange for Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards.

Gafford started his Mavs tenure coming off the bench, but he quickly became the starting center over Livey II and has been a key role player for the second half of the regular season and for the entire postseason.

As a Maverick during the regular season, Gafford averaged 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 78 percent from the field. Gafford's rim protection, ability as a lob threat, and energy helped the Mavs tremendously, and this trade changed the trajectory of their season.

The Mavs get an A for this trade, as Gafford isn't playing as well in the playoffs as expected, but his team-friendly contract, age, and great attitude make him the perfect player for the Mavs for years to come.

2. Mavericks land P.J. Washington in blockbuster trade

The Dallas Mavericks started their trade deadline day by trading for Daniel Gafford, and they made an even bigger trade later that day.

Dallas traded Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and their 2027 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for P.J. Washington and two second-round picks, and this was the perfect move to make up for how poorly Grant Williams was for Dallas.

Williams started the season off strong, but quickly wore out his welcome. Washington is the exact opposite of Williams, and Jason Kidd has harped about how great Washington and Gafford have been for the team chemistry all season long.

This season for Dallas, Washington averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the field. Washington quickly became the best all-around defender on the team, and his rise in the playoffs has helped the Mavs destroy their competition.

In the Thunder series, Washington averaged 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 46.9 percent from downtown. Washington made the Thunder pay for their game plan of leaving him open, and he is developing into the third star that the Mavs need.

Washington has the tools to turn into an elite 3-and-D wing for the Mavericks for years to come, and Nico Harrison aced this trade. Dallas gets an A for this trade as they landed an elite defensive-minded wing that fits perfectly next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

He has also helped the team's culture with his selfless attitude, and he looks like someone who could be a Maverick for life.

1. Mavericks make huge blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving

Last season, the Dallas Mavericks pulled off one of the biggest trades in franchise history when they landed Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets.

Dallas sent Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a first-round pick, and two second-round picks to the Nets in exchange for Irving and Markieff Morris.

This trade may have seemed questionable at first considering Irving's history with some off-the-court issues, and some fans and media thought that this duo of Luka Doncic and Irving may never work.

Dallas missed the playoffs in Irving's first season with the team, but this season has yielded much different results. Irving and Doncic were one of the best duos in the entire NBA, and their chemistry grew every game. They genuinely like spending time together on and off the floor, and this has helped lead them to where they are now.

Everyone on this Mavericks roster believes in what Irving and Doncic can do, and they have formed arguably the greatest duo in Mavs history.

This season for Dallas, Irving averaged 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game while shooting an impressive 49.7 percent from the field, 41.1 percent from downtown, and 90.5 percent from the free-throw line.

Irving has been everything that the Mavs need out of him, and Dallas gets an A+ for this trade due to how great he has been for them combined with the fact that they got him for so cheap. Losing Finney-Smith in this deal definitely hurt, but it was worth it as they landed one of the greatest guards of all time in Irving.

For all the latest on Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks, stay tuned.