Dallas Mavs Luka Doncic Trade?! Jazz 'Keenly Interested,' Says Utah Insider
DALLAS — As the Dallas Mavericks navigate building a roster capable of title contention around Luka Doncic, many teams around the NBA are keeping a close eye on what they hope becomes a trade opportunity to acquire the Slovenian superstar.
After going from a Western Conference Finals appearance to cap off the 2021-22 season, the Mavs finished just 38-44 and missed the play-in tournament the following season. There is a general sense of pressure building for Dallas to avoid become the next team to face the harsh reality of superstar player movement.
The Mavs did retain the 10th overall pick after the NBA Draft Lottery results transpired and are limited to trading just a 2027 first-round pick as far as moving future selections is concerned. Aside from Jaden Hardy and Josh Green, the potential players for Dallas to include a trade is limited in intrigue.
One team has continued to floated as a potential interested trade suitor for Doncic in recent months: the Utah Jazz.
NBA Analysis Network reported about the Jazz’s trade interest in April. A former NBA executive expressing a sentiment that teams around the league view a developing trade opportunity if Doncic's situation in Dallas doesn't improve.
“There is no telling what the future holds for the Mavs and Luka, but teams are swirling like sharks in the water,” a former NBA executive told NBA Analysis Network. “The Jazz, in particular, plan to pursue Luka if and when he becomes available.”
Next to report on the Jazz's potential trade interest in Doncic was John Hollinger of The Athletic — expressing that his "spies" had told him to particularly keep a close eye on Utah as a future Doncic trade suitor.
“With my spies telling me that Utah in particular is keeping a very interested eye on Doncic situation," Hollinger wrote.
Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reported that he's heard "similar things" as Hollinger, although he doesn't have "spies." The Jazz insider described Utah's involvement in the situation as being "keenly interested" in a trade.
“I’ve heard similar things, for what it’s worth,” Larsen wrote. “I don’t have spies, but I do have sources within the Jazz organization, who say that the Jazz are keenly interested in Doncic.”
Larsen did clarify that it's not just Doncic that Utah is keeping a close eye on for opportunistic trade maneuvers. He's just among the various superstars around the NBA that rebuilding teams armed to the teeth in draft capital will be waiting to pursue in a trade, including the Jazz.
“That being said, it’s also fair to say that the Jazz are “keeping a very interested eye” on many stars around the league — they want to use at least some of those draft picks acquired in the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert trades on acquiring a star in the trade market,” Larsen added.
There will only be more noise surrounding trade interest in Doncic as his situation with the Mavs doesn't result in a consistent high degree of success. He holds high expectations not only for himself, but for his team.
The Mavs' efforts to avoid such an outcome will first begin with the need to retain Kyrie Irving, then to use the 10th pick appropriately to upgrade the roster. There isn't a one transaction solution that will repair what was a poor defensive team this season, but regardless, striving toward even being league average would go a long way.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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