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A 3-Team Trade Idea to Save Klay Thompson from the Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are off to a terrible start to the 2025-26 campaign, but even at 4-11, the season remains salvageable. Assuming Anthony Davis (calf) gets back quickly and Kyrie Irving (knee) bounces back in early 2026, Dallas is well within range of the play-in tournament.
While prior installments in the series attempted to fix the Mavericks by including Davis in trades for a slightly younger All-Star big in an effort to stay competitive or embrace the one-year tank, this entry forges a path forward with Davis in an effort to turn the season around and make the playoffs.
By roping in the Boston Celtics, who would love to get under the luxury tax and need a center, along with the always-reliable Brooklyn Nets (the only team in the league with ample cap room), the following is a three-team trade to bolster the Mavericks at guard for a postseason push—and to finally unlock Anfernee Simons' potential.
Full Trade Scenario
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Mavericks get:
Celtics get:
Nets get:
Important Trade Notes
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The 2026 second-rounder from Boston is the highest selection from the New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks (presumably from the two-win Pelicans). The 2031 selection will only convey if the Rockets have a pick in the 56-60 range.
The Mavericks acquire Simons and Highsmith by aggregating Thompson, Powell, and Gafford, finishing below their second-apron hard cap ($207.8 million). The Celtics use the preexisting Kristaps Porziņģis trade exception to acquire Gafford, triggering a first-apron hard cap ($195.9 million) and generating a $27.7 million trade exception for Simons.
The Nets waive Jalen Wilson and Tyrese Martin before the trade, remaining slightly under the salary cap.
Why the Dallas Mavericks Do It
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Assuming Dallas is focused on making the playoffs, the team needs serious help at guard.
Simons is a role player in Boston, a team relying more heavily on Derrick White and Payton Pritchard for lead guard play. With the Portland Trail Blazers in 2024-25, Simons averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists (22.6 points and 5.5 assists the year prior). Even in Boston, with reduced production (13.3 points with 2.5 assists), he's shooting 40.4 percent from three-point range.
Simons can start at point until Irving returns, then shift to off-guard. Dallas can measure the fit and work to retain him this offseason, meanwhile, getting out of the commitments to Thompson and Gafford. Highsmith is a strong wing defender with some scoring talent and playoff experience from his years with the Miami Heat.
The Mavericks fill a need without giving up a first-round pick, while taking steps to avoid the second apron next season. A postseason run may be challenging given the awful start, but with the addition of Simons and some badly needed health, it's still well within reach.
Why the Boston Celtics Do It
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The Celtics' acquisition of Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers was more about getting out of Jrue Holiday's contract than what Simons brings to the court. With Jayson Tatum (Achilles) presumably out for the year, the franchise chose to shed core members like Porziņģis and Holiday, while letting veteran center Al Horford leave for the Golden State Warriors in free agency.
Instead of staying above the second apron with massive repeater taxes, Boston got its payroll to a more manageable level, but still about $12.1 million over the luxury tax line ($187.8 million). Acquiring Gafford fills a significant hole at center, for a player the team may be unlikely to retain in Simons.
By getting about $1.2 million under the threshold, Boston takes a necessary step toward getting out of the repeater tax. Outside of Simons and the cash, the primary expense is the 2026 pick, projected to be in the 31-35 range from New Orleans. The Simons trade exception could prove valuable next summer, provided Boston stays below the 2026-27 first apron.
Why the Brooklyn Nets Do It
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The Nets used their cap space to help other teams avoid luxury tax/apron limitations, profiting with draft considerations and prospects. Still armed with about $15 million in cap room, the franchise is expected by competing executives to continue on that same path before the trade deadline.
To do so, Brooklyn needs to open roster space by cutting Wilson and Martin, given their smaller salaries. The franchise can make other moves first, relocating players like Cam Thomas, Zhaire Smith or Day'Ron Sharpe. The Nets could try to get another player out of Dallas in the deal, like Brandon Williams. Or, after the deal, Brooklyn can waive Powell to re-sign one of Wilson or Martin (assuming they aren't claimed off waivers).
Perhaps the Nets fight for another second-rounder to take on Thompson (whose $17.5 million expiring contract in 2026-27 could be a viable trade piece before the 2027 deadline), but a first-round pick from the Mavericks or Celtics is probably a step too far.
*Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.
