NBA Trade Rumors: 'No Tangible Expectation' Mavs Will Pursue Kevin Durant Deal

Dallas Mavericks fans shouldn't expect Kevin Durant to join Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving in North Texas ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET NBA trade deadline.

NBA insider Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported Tuesday that "there was no tangible expectation percolating in Dallas, as of Tuesday night, to suggest that the Mavericks were a true factor in the Durant chase."

Sam Amick, David Aldridge and Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported before that that the Mavs "have dreams of adding Durant."

Dallas' interest in the 14-time All-Star seems to further undercut one of the remarks general manager Nico Harrison made in the wake of trading franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić.

Harrison told ESPN's Tim MacMahon that swapping Dončić for Davis meant the Mavericks are "built to win now and in the future."

Maybe history will show paying Dončić a five-year supermax extension worth up to $345 million would've been a mistake, one with significant long-term consequences. For now, however, the front office shortened its championship window with the current roster.

That means needing to target more aging vets such as Durant to pair with Davis and Irving. And you covet the 36-year-old specifically with an eye toward winning within the next few seasons due to his age and eventual free agency in 2026.

Not to mention, KD will have been with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns for less than three full years apiece if he bolts before the deadline or this summer.

But leaning on Davis and Irving, two stars with injury records on the wrong side of 30, means Harrison has to operate on a win-now basis.

Even if the Mavericks don't get Durant now, it might be a matter of time before they reignite their pursuit or look to another marquee star in the offseason.