The 2025 NBA season has already been chock-full of jaw-dropping twists. Yet, SB Nation set the rumor mill ablaze with a new take on where a superstar could end up next season.
The Dallas Mavericks could pull off a bold, championship-altering move by acquiring Kevin Durant from the embattled Phoenix Suns this summer.
The Luka Dončić Trade and Its Fallout Sets Dallas Up for Changes
It’s no secret that the Mavericks have been riding a roller coaster ever since the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers — a move that, in hindsight, many fans are calling one of the worst trades in franchise (and maybe NBA) history.
The departure of Dončić left a glaring void in the Mavs’ lineup, one that the organization is desperate to fill if they hope to re-establish themselves among the NBA’s elite. With their championship window likely in the 2-3 year range, Dallas now finds itself on the hunt for a superstar who can lead the charge, and KD might just be that missing piece.
As SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell said, Mavericks GM Nico Harrison has a real shot at “saving face” by orchestrating a trade that not only mends recent missteps but also propels Dallas back into serious title contention.
Why a Mavericks-Suns Trade Makes Sense
On the Suns’ side, things have not gone according to plan, to say the least. Phoenix’s high-stakes gamble to secure Durant for a whopping $194.2 million contract has turned into a high-profile debacle. To make matters worse, they took on Bradley Beal’s five-year, $251 million contract just a few months later, who hasn’t made an All-Star appearance since the 2020-21 season.
With the highest payroll in league history and playoff hopes dwindling by the day, the Suns are reportedly preparing to part ways with Durant in the offseason. NBA insiders like Shams Charania have confirmed that Durant and the Suns are open to discussions with any contender, setting the stage for a dramatic summer.
Reporting for ESPN NBA Countdown on the Suns, Kevin Durant and what's at stake: pic.twitter.com/69UeeowSOP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 2, 2025
For Dallas, acquiring Durant isn’t just about adding another big name superstar; it’s about assembling a trio of veteran leaders who are still playing their best ball and know what it takes to win an NBA championship.
Pairing Durant with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis would create a dynamic that transcends conventional basketball by combining elite scoring, savvy floor spacing, and unmatched playoff experience to form one of the deadliest trios in league history.
More importantly, as O’Donnell pointed out, it could be precisely what the Mavericks need to silence critics following the Dončić trade.
Is a Mavs-Durant Trade Even Possible?
So, what might this trade look like? According to O’Donnell, Dallas could leverage assets acquired in the Dončić deal, namely, promising young talent Dereck Lively II and valuable future draft picks such as the Lakers’ 2029 first-rounder in a package deal to bring in Durant.
From the Suns’ perspective, shedding the burden of a massive contract while acquiring budding talent and draft capital could serve as the perfect reset button for a franchise that desperately needs it.
Financially, the trade is not without its challenges. The Mavericks face tight salary cap constraints and apron restrictions, which would complicate adding a superstar contract. However, if Dallas can match salaries with savvy maneuvering, the risk could very well pay off, transforming the Mavs into an offensive juggernaut capable of competing for a title right away.
Whether this bold move materializes remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: in today’s NBA, fortunes can change in a single trade, and this could be precisely what the Mavericks (and Harrison) need to turn their fortunes around.