If the Mavericks decide to move Anthony Davis prior to the trade deadline, the expectation is that the return would resemble what Phoenix got for Kevin Durant rather than a haul that features several first-round picks, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. In other words, Dallas probably shouldn’t count on getting more than a couple solid players and a single first-rounder.
Although many of the sources who spoke to Bontemps had trouble coming up with many suitors who would make sense for Davis, a few of those sources speculated about whether the Bulls might make a play for the Chicago native.
“I could see it,” one Western Conference executive told ESPN. “(Josh) Giddey has worked well with (Nikola) Vucevic, but he could use a roll man to throw it up to.”
Bontemps’ sources put Ja Morant in a similar boat as Davis, predicting that the Grizzlies will explore the trade market for the point guard but will have trouble finding a package they like.
According to Bontemps, people around the NBA are also keeping a close eye on Lauri Markkanen, who is having a bounce-back season with the Jazz on the heels of a down year in 2024/25. After averaging 19.0 points per game on .423/.346/.876 shooting in 47 games last season, Markkanen has put up 30.6 PPG on .485/.385/.885 shooting through 14 outings this fall, so he’d have more trade value now — if Utah is open to dealing him.
“He’s putting up monster numbers,” a West executive said. “They’re running everything through him. If he goes to a place that he’s an additive piece … you have to have the right team around him to go after him.”
Here are a few more highlights from Bontemps’ look at all 30 NBA teams:
- Scouts around the league are speculating about Doug Christie‘s job security in Sacramento and are waiting to see if the Kings begin looking to trade veterans like Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and/or Zach LaVine. “They’re a disaster,” an Eastern Conference scout told Bontemps. “They’re going nowhere fast. They just have to put a rock on the accelerator and keep going into the tank … they’re expensive, bad and aging.”
- Multiple executives who spoke to ESPN believe the Nets have the least talented roster in the NBA. Brooklyn is off to a 2-12 start, with its only victories coming against fellow bottom-feeders Washington and Indiana.
- There’s skepticism about whether 2024 lottery pick Rob Dillingham can become the Timberwolves‘ point guard of the future, Bontemps writes. Dillingham is still just 20 years old but is off to a slow start in his second season, having shot just 37.3% from the floor, including 20.0% on three-pointers. “I’m not sure that’s ever going to work,” one scout said. “Maybe things come around, but it’s hard to see it.”
- According to Bontemps, there was “virtually no talk” during the preseason about a possible rookie scale extension for Jalen Duren, with the Pistons and the big man believed to be far apart on a potential deal. Duren, who turned 22 on Tuesday, has taken a significant step forward in the early going this season, with averages of 20.6 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, and appears to be in line for a significant payday next summer.
- Scouts have been impressed by the work first-year head coach Jordan Ott has done with the Suns, who are outperforming expectations so far with a 9-6 record and could be a playoff contender. “They’ve been way better than I thought,” a Western Conference scout said. “They’ve got enough pieces around Devin (Booker) where they’ll win the games they should win. (Ott) has them playing the right way and competing.”
Mavs should trade for Markkanen…
Already a bulk in that position. They need guards.
You misspelled Warriors – he’d be a perfect fit for them.
Davey?
Dillingham has been such a gigantic disappointment.
Adam Silver destroyed the Mavs—buy out Davis and move on, trade Ky and build around CF. Fans will respond with new optomism.
Blow up the kings please. It’s a great fanbase but they have very little connection to these guys. Play young guys, see if you have anything going forward, trade anyone worth anything for expiring contracts and 2nd round picks.
They have been rebuilding and changing coaches since 1985. When do we say enough is enough withe the rebuilding ?? Never ?? It’s Not Christie. He can ONLY work with what players are given to him. Nothing and I mean Nothing will change til Vivek sells the Team and our do nothing GM is gone.
They were good in the late nineties early 2000’s!
Suns have played the easiest schedule in the league, they’ve only played 4 teams above .500 in 15 games. While the poor Kings have played a ridiculous 14 out of 16 games vs winning teams.
it’s hard to not win against the kings
Yet 3 teams have managed to lose to them, including the Bucks and Warriors.
If only the Knicks had kept Duren instead of trading him…they’d be better than everyone but the Thunder.
Yes, I know the move was made to clear Kemba to sign Brunson, but they could have done that with other picks/sweeteners that summer. Or stretched Kemba and moved someone else.
In the immortal words of Mitch Ritchmond, when asked if he saw a light at the end of the tunnel for Sacramento –
“I don’t even see the tunnel”
AD for Dray and Kuminga. Add Powell and Heild to balance the numbers and positional needs. Could the Mavs squeeze a draft pick out of that too?
All of them but Heild miss a lot of games, but am I crazy to think that’s a win-win?
Ja for LaMelo strait up. Numbers are all similar, Ball is younger and taller but has a big extra year on his contract. Do new environments come up roses for everybody, or is that just a different flavor of the same bad stew?
I hate seeing guys in their prime like Markaanen wasted on a tanking team. I hope he gets traded.
Dillingham has played 11 mins a game. So what exactly do we expect. He should be in G-league playing 30 mins and leavening. I just don’t get the way teams handle their prospects.
Imo AD would be a solid get for Bulls. He fits well with Vuc. Plus you probably get him cheap. AD would much rather play in Chicago than Dallas. Something to look into.
Jazz don’t want to win. Can’t see Danny keeping Markkanen past the TD. Jazz need more lottery picks. Danny will outdo “The Process” …….
AD would be a great fit for the bulls.
Returning to his home town.
Giving Giddey a real big man to play with.
Helps anchor the defence.
Would help Buzelis’s development.
East is wide open and with a guy like that they could make a deep run like the Pacers did last year.
Yes there’s injury concern, he’s older but because of these things you don’t overpay.
AD and Hardy for Vuce (expring deal and old), Patrick Williams (terrible contract), Coby White (needs an expensive extension) and a first round pick.
Giddey Hardy Okoro Buzelis AD
Ayo Hueter Terry/Phillips/Essengue Collins Smith
You’d also open up a roster spot in the trade (2 in 3 out) and could fill that back up wing/forward spot with a free agent such as Cody Martin, MarJon Beauchamp, KJ Martin or Dariq Whitehead.
Mavs might do it too, good amount of expring money, good player in White, a first round pick and Williams as a back up forward. Not a bad return for them in a rebuild
Jeez, fool me once… no one is going to trade any real assets for AD now. Come on.
That’s the point Bulls aren’t giving up much.
Vuce is basically done already and on an expiring contract. Pat Williams is of negative value. Coby White a first is all your giving up of value and even then, he needs a new contract which won’t be cheap and the team’s been playing great with Giddey doing all the work. AD not only improves the bench a large amount but gives Giddey a very good pick and roll nig to play with. AD can score inside and out and with Giddeys height and passing they’d be a solid duo.
If it fails then he’s only got 2 and a half seasons left on his deal and you can let him walk and free up cap space. Not to mention I also think Jaden Hardy could be a solid addition. He’s still only young but was one of the best in his high school class, went to the GLeague and was good but has never since had any real opportunities in Dallas. Think he could be a diamond in the rough which you’d be adding for next to nothing
Oh my…
A pick and roll huh ?
The team’s been playing great..? really?? they are 3-7 in their last 10 games.
But putting that aside, AD doesn’t help anyone if he never plays.
Would be ridiculous for Chicago. Stay away. This dude is a year away from the Embiid experience
I went to my first kings game in 1989, worked at arco for two years. I just can’t follow the team anymore, I’d rather the magoofs moved them than this dumpster fire vivek(and daughter wtf) has created.
quite honestly if the bulls made a deal where they traded some combination of Vujović and Giddey for a package that included Ja Morant and a defensive rebounding center I would think that’s a good move for the bulls even if they have to include a pick
Not even Nico would tank the bulls like that
wait, wut?!? 😳