NBA Trade Rumors: Dallas Mavericks might land $100 million Portland Trail Blazers superstar in blockbuster 3-team exchange; perfect support for Anthony Davis?
Dallas Mavericks vs Memphis Grizzlies. Image via: George Walker/AP
The NBA offseason is a chessboard, and the
Dallas Mavericks
just landed the queen—Cooper Flagg, the crown jewel of the 2025 draft. But one superstar prospect isn't enough in the cutthroat West.
If Dallas wants to turn potential into contention, they'll need to make a power move—and the league is buzzing about a potential three-team deal that could shake up the Mavericks' trajectory.
Rumors suggest Portland's Anfernee Simons—a walking bucket with untapped upside—could be the answer. But pulling off a trade of this magnitude means sacrificing key pieces, navigating salary complexities, and betting big on fit.
Will the Mavs push their chips in? Or will they play it safe and risk wasting a crucial season? One thing's certain and that is Dallas isn't just drafting Flagg to grow—they're drafting him to win.
And that might require a gamble.
The Proposed Trade Breakdown
A hypothetical deal outlined by
Jackson Caudell of Sports Illustrated
involves the
Dallas Mavericks
, Portland Trail Blazers, and Atlanta Hawks. Here's how the trade would unfold:
Teams & Assets Involved
Dallas Mavericks Receive
Atlanta Hawks Receive
Portland Trail Blazers Receive
Anfernee Simons (POR)
Robert Williams II (POR)
Klay Thompson (DAL)
Terrance Mann (ATL)
Matisse Thybulle (POR)
P.J. Washington (DAL)
Caleb Martin (ATL)
Kobe Bufkin (ATL)
Dwight Powell (DAL)
2027 2nd-round pick (ATL via CLE)
2029 2nd-round pick (ATL via CLE)
2031 top-8 protected 1st-round pick (DAL)
Why This Trade Makes Sense for Dallas
Anfernee Simons (Image via Getty)
Filling the
Kyrie Irving
Void
With
Kyrie Irving
sidelined, Anfernee Simons' offensive firepower would be crucial.
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The 25-year-old averaged 19.3 points last season on 42.3% shooting (36.3% from three). As Caudell notes: "Simons can fill in for Kyrie Irving for this season and help lead the Mavs' offense. With Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively, Dallas has the infrastructure needed to protect Simons on defense."
Veteran Depth Addition
Terrance Mann adds defensive versatility and experience to a Dallas Mavericks team in win-now mode. His ability to guard multiple positions would offset Anfernee Simons' defensive limitations.
Potential Concerns
Anfernee Simons' Defensive Struggles
While Anfernee Simons excels offensively, his defense remains a liability. Caudell highlights this issue: "Dallas is going to be looking around for a guard in the offseason and may not like that Simons is a bad defender."
Roster Adjustments
P.J. Washington's role could diminish if Flagg becomes the primary forward. Meanwhile, Klay Thompson's $34 million salary and declining production make him a logical trade piece for Portland's rebuild.
This trade offers Dallas a short-term scoring solution while maintaining long-term flexibility. For Portland, it accelerates their rebuild with young assets, and Atlanta shores up its frontcourt defense.
Also read:
NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors potentially eyeing $6,772,731 Denver Nuggets star to support Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler after disappointing playoff exit
As the Dallas Mavericks weigh their options, securing a dynamic guard like Simons could keep them competitive in a stacked Western Conference.
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