The Dallas Mavericks have finally parted ways with general manager Nico Harrison after a disastrous start to the season. With Kyrie Irving sidelined and Anthony Davis still battling lingering health issues, Dallas’ offense has struggled to keep pace with its opponents.
Klay Thompson has been a shell of his former self, connecting on just 28.9% of his three-point attempts, the lowest mark of his career. Now relegated to the bench, his struggles have fueled speculation that the Mavericks could look to shake things up, with one analyst predicting a potential trade for a $70 million sharpshooter from the Phoenix Suns.
Analyst Predicts Mavericks To Trade for Suns’ $70 Million Sharpshooter
The Mavericks currently rank fourth-worst in three-point shooting this season, trailing only the Lakers, Pistons, and Magic. With Irving sidelined for at least two more months, PFSN’s Noah Rubin believes Dallas should look to add a proven perimeter threat, specifically Phoenix Suns sharpshooter Grayson Allen, who’s off to a scorching start to the year.
“Phoenix isn’t ready to be a playoff team, so capitalizing on Grayson Allen’s start to the year is a smart move for them,” Rubin argued. “Getting an upside piece in Hardy and recouping future draft capital will help them turn things around.
“The Mavs recently demoted Klay Thompson to a bench role, and they could use a different elite shooter to fill that void. Insert Allen, who has gotten off to a scorching hot start this year. As a team, Dallas has averaged 9.6 3-pointers per game.
“Allen is averaging 4.2 on his own this year and just hit 10 in one game, which could allow the Suns to get more for him in a deal. He won’t fix their offense, but he’ll provide spacing to make things easier for Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg until Kyrie Irving is available.”
Rubin’s proposed trade would send Caleb Martin, Jaden Hardy, a 2030 second-round pick (via Philadelphia), and a 2032 second-round pick to Phoenix in exchange for Allen.
On paper, the move could benefit both sides: Dallas would gain much-needed shooting and spacing, while the Suns would receive young talent and valuable future draft assets. However, Phoenix may be reluctant to part with Allen, given how well their offense has clicked with him in the lineup.
Through 11 games, Allen is averaging 18.6 points and 4.6 assists per game while shooting an impressive 44.6% from three-point range. A former league leader in three-point accuracy (46.1% in a previous season), Allen’s efficiency this year is no fluke either.
Now in the second year of his four-year, $70 million contract, Allen remains relatively affordable and won’t earn more than $20 million in a season on his current deal. While the 30-year-old may not single-handedly change Dallas’ fortunes, his elite shooting and steady play could help keep the Mavericks competitive until Irving’s return.