Dallas Mavericks Receive: G Lonzo Ball (via sign-and-trade), NOP 2021 2nd Round Pick (Pick #40)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F Maxi Kleber, G Josh Richardson ($11.6M Player Option), DAL 2024 1st Round Pick (Top-4 Protected)
Bringing back Lonzo Ball will be a point of emphasis for the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason, which is why they could drive a hard bargain for him in a sign-and-trade offer. His next contract could very well eclipse $18M per year, which is why the Mavs would have to be willing to settle with a couple of key talents in order to acquire him.
Maxi Kleber and Josh Richardson would be the two ideal trade candidates for the Mavericks in a deal to acquire Lonzo Ball, but there are some question marks surrounding Richardson. He had a down year shooting just 33% from three-point range and he also has an $11.6M player option that he had yet exercised.
If Richardson does not want to go to New Orleans, he could very well opt out of his contract ahead of this trade being made and become an unrestricted free agent, meaning that the Mavericks could not use him as leverage in trade talks.
The first order of business would be getting Josh Richardson to agree to opt into his contract for the 2021-22 season, but then Dallas would have to make a big decision about Maxi Kleber as well. Kleber has been a great “3-and-D” type of power-forward for the Mavs and parting ways with him would leave them very thin in their frontcourt.
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However, landing Lonzo Ball could be exactly what the Mavericks need. Luka Doncic can pretty much play anywhere on the court and with Ball having the ability to play off-the-ball, Dallas could create a strong, young backcourt duo with Doncic and Ball. Does this trade truly make sense though for both teams?
