The Dallas Mavericks severely underachieved with a 38-44 record this NBA season despite receiving historic production from Luka Doncic. He and Michael Jordan are now the only NBA players to ever average at least 32 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in a season.
After losing Jalen Brunson in free agency, the Mavs never seemed to acknowledge the reality they were facing as far as a bad roster is concerned until it was too late. Dallas traded for Kyrie Irving before the midseason deadline in February without making subsequent moves to address roster holes created or exacerbated.
If the Mavs do not drastically improve their roster this offseason, it would not be surprising to see Doncic become one of the next NBA superstars to demand a trade. He can become a free agent in 2026 by declining a nearly $49 million player option and entering the 2025-26 season, fearing such an outcome would be too alarming for the Mavs to face.
Here are three potential trade destinations for Mavs superstar Luka Doncic to monitor in the near future.
Denver Nuggets
If the opportunity presented itself for Doncic to play with his close friend Nikola Jokic, it appears increasingly that it will need to occur on the Denver Nuggets. They would surely find their way onto his list of preferred trade destinations.
Right now, Jokic’s Nuggets are competing in the playoffs, while Doncic’s Mavs have months ahead where the focus is on the NBA Draft lottery and hoping not to lose Kyrie Irving in free agency. When determining which franchise would better handle building a supporting cast, it would be far easier to trust the Nuggets than the Mavs.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks & Denver Nuggets Updates
Any trade package for Doncic would need to start with Jamal Murray as the centerpiece. There would need to be more value in a deal with likely either Michael Porter Jr. or Aaron Gordon included before even getting to draft compensation.
New York Knicks
While the New York Knicks managed to qualify for the postseason without needing even to use the play-in tournament, they still need a superstar to focus their efforts around. Giannis Antetokounmpo is an intriguing name to watch, but so is Doncic.
Many superstars who ponder requesting to be traded tend to wonder what they could do as a recruiter if they landed with the Knicks. Playing in the iconic Madison Square Garden in the NBA’s biggest market would appeal to many, perhaps more so to someone that would benefit from having easier access to European travel.
One of the challenges the Knicks have faced in trading for a superstar is the lack of desire many have to be first to make the move. It would take a truly generational talent and a big name to want to join without having another superstar immediately lined up to make that move.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks & New York Knicks Updates
Surely, one of Jalen Brunson or Julius Randle would need to be included in such a trade. The Knicks have a lot of young players like RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and Obi Toppin, they could throw into a trade package, as well as all of their future draft assets.
If the Mavs’ first-round pick falls out of the top 10 of this year’s order, then it will belong to New York, too.
Utah Jazz
There are a few NBA teams that have made it a major emphasis to stack up on draft assets, but none have achieved it as quickly as the Utah Jazz. It was a clear goal to achieve based on the trade returns they received in exchange for Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, along with other veteran players. If Doncic was to ask out, they could construct a major trade package.
Ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, the Jazz have 15 first-round picks outright, which could reach 16 depending on how the protection plays out with their pick between 2024 and 2026. That would be enough trade ammunition to make a draft-based offer for Doncic.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks & Utah Jazz Updates
If the Jazz could retain Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, they’d have quite an intriguing nucleus to begin building around after adding Doncic into the fold. It would only help if Doncic could recruit impactful talent to join him in Utah, especially if there are enough assets remaining to do so.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here.
