NBA Trade Idea: Mavs' Doncic & Irving Get Veteran Post Presence

In this proposed trade idea for the Mavericks, the Atlanta Hawks send Clint Capela to Dallas to compliment Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving's ball-dominant play style.

The last time (and only time) the Dallas Mavericks held the Larry O'Brian trophy was in 2011, when a roster constructed to perfectly compliment NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki took down the Miami Heat’s LeBron James-led Big 3 in six games. Alongside Nowitzki was current Mavs current head coach Jason Kidd, and more importantly, Tyson Chandler holding down the middle with his defensive prowess. 

Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Mavericks have yet to find a suitable big man to go alongside their star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. And although they’re optimistic about the future of Dereck Lively II, what if the Mavs decided to opt for more of a veteran presence?

In this proposed trade by Bleacher Report, the Mavs could finally get what they're looking for … but at a significant cost.

The Trade: Dallas Mavericks Get: Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson. Atlanta Hawks Get: Tim Hardaway Jr., Dereck Lively II and a 2027 lottery-protected first-round pick.

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Why Mavericks Make the Deal: For the Mavericks, this move makes sense on paper for a team that’s ready to win now, but it might not be the best idea for the long-term future of the franchise.

While the loss of Tim Hardaway Jr.’s volume 3-point shooting could hurt, Dallas has plenty of depth at his position, including fourth-year man Josh Green, who could be a full-time starter this season. Green’s perimeter defense and improved shooting ability would minimize the loss of Hardaway.

The addition of Capela gives Irving and Doncic a seasoned and skilled pick-and-roll option along with more defense on the inside. Additionally, Jalen Johnson brings in more depth as a stretch-four that can grow alongside rookie forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper.

Again, on paper, a deal like this could make sense for the Mavs if they’re focusing on this year only, but losing Lively, as well as another future first-round pick — something that Dallas is already short on — makes this one seem unlikely to gain any traction.

Why Hawks Make the Deal: The Hawks have a lot more incentive to say yes to a trade of this scale than the Mavs do when looking closer at the team's situation.

Onyeka Okongwu has grown as the understudy to Capela for three seasons now. As the backup center, Okongwu has proven himself worthy of a starting center position on a team that needs a retool if it is to return to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Also, picking up rookie Lively in this trade, who could be a valuable bench piece to a Hawks squad that lacks verticality, would be an incentive. That 2027 first round pick just sweetens the trade pot for the Hawks as well, who would be looking to add more assets to a potential trade proposal for a third star in the future.

The Bottom Line: This trade idea benefits both teams, in theory, but given the Mavs’ lack of future draft capital, and given that Chandler has taken Lively under his wing to mold him into the same type of player that helped Dallas win it all in 2011 … it’s hard for us to see this trade being more than what it is — an idea.