Imagine if the Dallas Mavericks opened up trade talks for Luka Doncic with all 29 other NBA teams.
This hypothetical scenario was considered by team executives when news broke of a trade sending Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis to Dallas. In reality, Dallas only engaged in discussions with the Lakers.
To explore this further, we`ve analyzed potential trades with the 28 teams that didn`t acquire Doncic, outlining hypothetical packages each could have offered, alongside what the Lakers ultimately proposed.
Several important factors must be considered.
Firstly, the actual trade negotiations between the Mavericks and Lakers were confidential. The absence of public rumors was crucial to the deal`s completion. Opening negotiations to all 28 teams would likely have derailed any trade.
Lakers owner Jeannie Buss noted the distraction that leaks could cause, potentially undermining team progress.
Secondly, salary cap and apron rules are complex. At the time of the hypothetical deal, the Lakers were under the second apron, limiting their salary intake. Dallas was below the first apron and needed Anthony Davis to waive a trade bonus. These restrictions are applied to all hypothetical scenarios using team rosters as of February 1st.
Finally, we consider Doncic`s potential free agency in 2026. This might reduce the value of packages from rebuilding teams, as Doncic might only be a short-term rental.
Which teams would offer significant player and draft capital, even for a potentially brief Doncic tenure? Which stars might Dallas target? And which offer would the Mavericks prefer if presented with 29 options?
Let`s revisit the hypothetical eve of this major trade.
The Hypothetical Offers for Luka Doncic
The Lakers` Trade
Los Angeles Lakers
Actual Trade:
- Anthony Davis
- Max Christie
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Potential Offer:
- Anthony Davis
- Austin Reaves
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2030 First-Round Swap
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban suggested Dallas could have received more from the Lakers, ideally four unprotected first-round picks plus Davis and Christie.
Due to prior obligations on draft picks, the Lakers could only trade a maximum of two first-round picks directly. To reach four, Dallas might have needed to trade Austin Reaves separately for additional picks.
Jeannie Buss emphasized the importance of not dismantling the Lakers` core team.
Top Offers for Dallas
If Dallas considered broader trade talks, some teams could offer both immediate impact players and future draft assets.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Potential Offer:
- Darius Garland
- Jarrett Allen
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Trading for Doncic would create a dominant backcourt with Donovan Mitchell, but could disrupt team chemistry and weaken their frontcourt depth with Allen`s departure.
Note: Maxi Kleber would be included in the trade for salary matching purposes.
Houston Rockets
Potential Offer:
- Dillon Brooks
- Reed Sheppard
- Jabari Smith Jr.
- 2025 Unprotected First-Round Pick (via Phoenix)
- 2027 Unprotected First-Round Pick (via Phoenix)
The Rockets possess both young players and draft capital to make a significant trade while maintaining a competitive roster around Doncic, Fred VanVleet, and other young talents.
Swapping Star Guards
Would teams trade established point guards like Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, or James Harden for Doncic?
Atlanta Hawks
Potential Offer:
- Trae Young
- Onyeka Okongwu
- 2025 Unprotected First-Round Pick (via Lakers)
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Ironically, Doncic and Young were traded for each other in the 2018 draft. The challenge would be convincing Doncic to join a team with young, developing players.
Charlotte Hornets
Potential Offer:
- LaMelo Ball
- Mark Williams
- 2027 First-Round Pick
- 2027 Top-14 Protected First-Round Pick (via Charlotte; Unprotected in 2028 if not conveyed)
The Hornets could offer young talent and picks, but the post-trade roster might not be enough to secure Doncic`s long-term commitment.
LA Clippers
Potential Offer:
- James Harden
- Terance Mann
- 2030 First-Round Pick Swap
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
A Harden-Kyrie Irving reunion in Dallas could be possible if the Clippers didn`t include Kawhi Leonard. However, the Clippers lack the draft assets of other teams.
Superstar Backcourt Pairings
Would teams with existing star guards like Stephen Curry or Cade Cunningham still pursue Doncic?
Detroit Pistons
Potential Offer:
- Tobias Harris
- Ausar Thompson
- Ron Holland II
- 2027 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Doncic alongside Cunningham could elevate the Pistons, but would it surpass top Eastern Conference teams? The partnership and coaching might sway Doncic to stay long-term.
Golden State Warriors
Potential Offer:
- Andrew Wiggins
- Jonathan Kuminga
- Brandin Podziemski
- Gary Payton II
- 2025 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2026 First-Round Pick Swap
- 2027 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2030 First-Round Pick (if 1-20)
A Doncic-Curry pairing would be a blockbuster, similar to Golden State`s trade for Jimmy Butler, but on a larger scale, involving significant young talent and draft picks.
Indiana Pacers
Potential Offer:
- Myles Turner
- Bennedict Mathurin
- Aaron Nesmith
- Obi Toppin
- 2028 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2030 Unprotected First-Round Pick
The Pacers wouldn`t trade Tyrese Haliburton. This deal would still significantly reshape their roster, sending out key players and draft picks. Alternatively, Pascal Siakam could be offered instead of the four players.
Memphis Grizzlies
Potential Offer:
- Desmond Bane
- Jaylen Wells
- Brandon Clarke
- 2027 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
To acquire Doncic, Memphis would likely need to trade one of their young stars. Bane is presented here as the most feasible option to maintain frontcourt strength.
Philadelphia 76ers
Potential Offer:
- Paul George
- Jared McCain
- 2026 First-Round Pick (least favorable of Houston, Oklahoma City, and Clippers)
- 2028 Unprotected First-Round Pick (via Clippers)
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
With Joel Embiid untradeable, Philadelphia`s main trade assets are Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. Maxey is likely off-limits, making George and draft picks the offer.
More Big Men for Dallas
Dallas prioritized acquiring Anthony Davis for his defense. Other defensive-minded centers or versatile bigs could also have been targets.
Miami Heat
Potential Offer:
- Bam Adebayo
- Haywood Highsmith
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Adebayo fits Dallas` defensive needs perfectly, potentially more so than Jimmy Butler. The Heat could build around Doncic with Tyler Herro and other assets.
New York Knicks
Potential Offer:
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- 2025 Top-10 Protected First-Round Pick (via Washington; 2026 Top-8 Protected if not conveyed)
A Doncic-Jalen Brunson reunion in New York would require Dallas accepting a smaller return than the Lakers deal. The Knicks have limited tradable picks and significant contracts. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart could replace Towns in a different package.
Sacramento Kings
Potential Offer:
- Domantas Sabonis
- Keon Ellis
- Devin Carter
- 2028 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2030 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Doncic to Sacramento, almost seven years after they passed on him in the draft. A Doncic-De`Aaron Fox backcourt is appealing, but trading Sabonis and facing potential free agency for both stars in 2026 presents significant risk.
Teams Over the Apron
Teams above the second apron faced trade restrictions, limiting their offers. The Celtics, Nuggets, Bucks, and Timberwolves were in this category.
Denver Nuggets
Potential Offer:
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Christian Braun
- Dario Saric
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
The Nuggets wouldn`t trade Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, or Aaron Gordon. This limits their offer to Porter Jr., Braun, and picks. A third team would be needed to absorb salary.
Boston Celtics
Potential Offer:
- Jaylen Brown
- 2027 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Trading Jaylen Brown before defending a title is unlikely, but apron restrictions limit Boston`s options. A Doncic-Jayson Tatum pairing would be formidable, but costly in draft capital.
Milwaukee Bucks
Potential Offer:
- Damian Lillard
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Milwaukee`s apron status restricts them to trading either Damian Lillard or Giannis Antetokounmpo, with limited draft picks available.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Potential Offer:
- Rudy Gobert
- 2025 First-Round Pick (via Detroit; Top-13 Protected)
- 2028 First-Round Pick Swap
Minnesota`s options are Gobert or Anthony Edwards. Edwards makes more basketball sense, but he`s not a free agent until 2029. Draft asset depletion further limits their offer.
Phoenix Suns
Potential Offer:
- Kevin Durant
- 2025 First-Round Pick (via Cleveland)
- 2027 First-Round Pick (least favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah)
- 2029 First-Round Pick (least favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota; if 6-30, and Utah)
Phoenix, restricted by contracts and Bradley Beal`s no-trade clause, would have to trade either Durant or Devin Booker. Booker is younger and under contract longer, making Durant the likely trade piece.
Historic Draft Pick Packages
Some teams could offer massive hauls of draft picks, focusing less on player returns.
Brooklyn Nets
Potential Offer:
- Nic Claxton
- Cam Thomas
- De`Anthony Melton
- Four First-Round Picks
Brooklyn could offer up to 12 tradable first-round picks, but committing heavily to draft assets might be premature in their rebuild.
New Orleans Pelicans
Potential Offer:
- CJ McCollum
- Herbert Jones
- 2025 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2027 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
The Pelicans have numerous players to trade, including Ingram and Williamson (though Williamson is less likely). Dallas might prefer draft picks over Williamson.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Potential Offer:
- Lu Dort
- Isaiah Joe
- Aaron Wiggins
- Ousmane Dieng
- Kenrich Williams
- 2025 First-Round Pick (via Philadelphia; Top-6 Protected)
- 2025 First-Round Pick (via Miami; Top-14 Protected)
- 2026 First-Round Pick (most favorable of OKC, Houston and Clippers)
- 2027 Denver First (Top-5 Protected)
- 2029 Denver First (Top-5 Protected)
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
A historic haul of seven first-round picks, protecting core players like Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren, but sacrificing significant depth.
Orlando Magic
Potential Offer:
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Cole Anthony
- Anthony Black
- Jett Howard
- 2025 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2027 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2025 First-Round Pick (via Denver; Top-5 Protected)
The Magic have five tradable first-round picks, but assembling enough salary to match is challenging without trading Wagner, Suggs, Carter Jr., or Banchero.
San Antonio Spurs
Potential Offer:
- Harrison Barnes
- Tre Jones
- Zach Collins
- 2025 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2025 Unprotected First-Round Pick (via Atlanta)
- 2027 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2027 Unprotected First-Round Pick (via Atlanta)
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2031 Unprotected First-Round Pick (via Minnesota)
Doncic or De`Aaron Fox? The Spurs could have chosen Doncic, pairing him with Wembanyama for an unprecedented six unprotected first-round picks, retaining core players like Vassell and Castle but depleting draft assets.
Rebuilding Teams Take the Risk
For rebuilding teams, acquiring a top-five player like Doncic is a rare opportunity, despite the risk of him leaving in free agency in 2026.
Chicago Bulls
Potential Offer:
- Zach LaVine
- Matas Buzelis
- 2028 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2030 Unprotected First-Round Pick
The Bulls move on from LaVine, but at the cost of Buzelis and valuable draft picks. Doncic would join a guard-heavy roster.
Portland Trail Blazers
Potential Offer:
- Scoot Henderson
- Jerami Grant
- Shaedon Sharpe
- 2029 First-Round Pick (most favorable of Portland, Boston and Milwaukee)
- 2029 First-Round Pick (least favorable of Portland, Boston and Milwaukee)
- 2030 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Portland could offer a package of young players, but the risk of Doncic not extending makes the premium high.
Toronto Raptors
Potential Offer:
- Immanuel Quickley
- Gradey Dick
- Ochai Agbaji
- 2025 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2027 First-Round Pick (via Indiana; Top-4 Protected)
- 2029 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Without trading Scottie Barnes, Toronto`s offer includes Quickley, Dick, Agbaji, and draft picks. They`d still have assets to pursue Brandon Ingram separately.
Utah Jazz
Potential Offer:
- John Collins
- Isaiah Collier
- Taylor Hendricks
- Two 2027 First-Round Picks (most favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah)
- 2029 First-Round Pick (most favorable of Cleveland, Minnesota; if 6-30, and Utah)
The Jazz possess the most first-round picks to offer, but would they sacrifice their rebuild for a shot at Doncic?
- Their own first-round pick in six of the next seven drafts
- Five unprotected first-round picks from Cleveland and Minnesota
- A top-4 protected 2027 first-round pick from the Lakers
- A top-5 protected 2029 first-round pick from the Timberwolves
Washington Wizards
Potential Offer:
- Alex Sarr
- Jordan Poole
- 2028 Unprotected First-Round Pick
- 2029 First-Round Pick (second-most favorable of Portland, Boston and Milwaukee)
- 2030 Unprotected First-Round Pick
Doncic would accelerate Washington`s rebuild, but giving up Sarr and picks is a steep price, considering potential short-term commitment. However, it would offload Jordan Poole`s contract.
