Suns' Kevin Durant trade demand includes key detail that should send Mavs running

The Dallas Mavericks' roster has had its share of ups and downs this month. For starters, the team lost Kyrie Irving last week. Irving went down in the first quarter after driving to the rim. Irving's injury seemed like it could have been a simple knee sprain, but it was clear there was something deeper. It was later announced that Irving suffered an ACL tear that would keep him out for the remainder of the season.

Irving's injury adds to the list of already injured players. Players such as P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford have missed significant time. Not to mention, newcomer Anthony Davis has been out since his first game with the team after dealing with an adductor sprain. The players listed and other members have put the team in a bind.

The list of injuries forced the Mavs to play with eight players on Monday, as the team beat the San Antonio Spurs in a much-needed win. The team's small-ball lineup worked to their advantage, as the Mavs' fast-paced offense helped seal the deal.

A trade for Kevin Durant would set the Mavs back for years

Even with the victory, the team's playoff future becomes questionable. Dallas currently sits at the 10th spot, which would earn them a play-in position. Assuming they stay put, the team would need to win two play-in games to make the playoffs. This is where things get complicated. Davis has been progressing well, and it's possible he could make a return.

Another possibility would be shutting Davis down for the year. There should be no rush to bring him back. If you recall when Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic for Davis, he mentioned that the team's future is three or four years from now. So, technically, Dallas is still on track to meet Harrison's outlined goal, regardless of what happens this season.

Assuming that's the case, should the Mavs include Kevin Durant in their future plans?

Well, for starters, Durant is a generational talent. He is a two-time NBA champion and 15-time All-Star. Durant also won the 2014 MVP award and has been named to the All-NBA First-Team six times. Pairing him up with Irving and Davis would make the Mavs unstoppable. It would be the perfect way for Durant to end his career and allow Harrison to win back the Mavs' fanbase.

However, recent reports partially shut down the Durant to Dallas rumors. Dallas was seen as a "potential Durant suitor," over the last few months, but those reports were "overstated," and the Mavs were not "planning for a three-star construction." While Harrison has shown to be aggressive, the Mavs' interest in Durant might have been overstated compared to what was reported at the trade deadline.

Now, it's clear why Dallas may be straying away from trading for Durant. Reports indicate that the Suns' asking price may be too much. According to Suns insider Duane Rankin, Phoenix is searching for three first-round picks and a young player in exchange for Durant.

Plain and simple, the Suns' asking price is something the Mavs should steer away from. While the team has the assets to make a deal, it would only derail their future. The team already hurt their future by trading away Luka Doncic and this is something they can't risk doing again, as they need their first-round picks over the next few years.

Currently, Dallas has six players under the age of 25. Only four of those players are under guaranteed contracts. Other players like Klay Thompson, Irving, and Davis are all over 30 and reaching pivotal parts of their careers.

Adding Durant to the team's roster would further impact the Mavs' long-term outlook. It would force the team to go into rebuilding mode and start over sooner than expected. There's also a possibility Dallas might struggle to add other key players, as the Mavs would be forced to pay Durant and other star players. The three-superstar system never seems to work in today's NBA, and the Mavs shouldn't even try it.

So, while adding Durant would be a dream come true, it is not worth it for the Mavs' long-term future. Dallas can't risk making any more franchise-altering trades. The Mavs' best hope is for Davis and Irving to come back fully healthy and they roll the dice with that duo.