Mavericks predicted to trade for $77M former first-rounder, ex-Laker in NBA Draft blockbuster deal

The Dallas Mavericks have seemingly decided to go in a different direction regarding who they want to lead the franchise. New management has already begun changing the trajectory of the organization.

After two consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs, Dallas is determined to get back to winning. Letting go of Jason Kidd was a move the front office believed was necessary.

“Jason Kidd is out as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks after five seasons in what the team described as a mutual decision Tuesday evening. Kidd has four years and more than $40 million remaining on his contract, sources told ESPN. But Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont, who extended Kidd's contract during Dallas' NBA Finals run in 2024 and again before last season after they declined the New York Knicks' request to interview him, gave new president Masai Ujiri full authorization to determine the coach's future with the franchise,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote.

The next big question surrounds Kyrie Irving and what the Mavericks will do with him. For now, the expectation is that he will return.

“Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz have both stated they foresee Irving staying, as they think he and Cooper Flagg can be good fits alongside each other. However, Irving is 34 years old and is coming off an ACL injury. By the time he takes the floor in October, it will have been 19 months since he played in an NBA game,” SI’s Austin Veazey wrote. “Kyrie Irving also wants to be in Dallas. He feels comfortable with the city, which is not something you can say for every other stop he has made in his career.”

The Mavericks are also looking to improve the roster. One draft-day mock trade has Dallas acquiring Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk.

“Dallas Mavericks Receive: 7th Overall, Malik Monk
Sacramento Kings Receive: 9th Overall, 30th Overall, AJ Johnson. The Sacramento Kings could use more draft capital while shedding some salary, and the trade exception the Mavericks have from Anthony Davis is juuuust big enough to fit Malik Monk's salary. Monk does have a player option for the 2027-28 season, which would be hard to stomach, but if one of the guards the Mavs love starts to fall, they may as well go get him,” Veazey wrote.

This would be a strong move for Dallas, giving the Mavericks another aggressive scorer who could thrive alongside Cooper Flagg and Irving. The organization is clearly looking for a move that could shift its fortunes.

The proposed trade would also give Dallas the No. 7 overall pick, allowing the franchise to add another young talent to its core. Monk is under a $77 million contract and holds a player option after next season, making him an intriguing addition. If the Mavericks can land both Monk and a top-seven pick, it could be the type of move that changes the trajectory of the franchise for the better.

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