3. Gordon Hayward teams up with Luka and Kyrie in Dallas
Dallas is officially on the clock with Luka Doncic. Their blockbuster deal to acquire Kyrie Irving reeked of desperation, but it was a necessary risk. That’s the thing about risks, though – they don’t always pan out. The Mavericks dropped nine of their final eleven games before missing the play-in tournament completely. If they want Luka to stick around long-term, changes are sure to be on the horizon.
Gordon Hayward would not be the answer to all of the Mavericks’ problems. The defensive side of the ball was a disaster for Dallas last season, and Hayward is by no means a lockdown defender. However, Tim Hardaway Jr. is due almost $18 million this season and could be on his way out.
If Dallas believes that Josh Green can hold his own guarding the other team’s best perimeter player, he should slide into the starting lineup at some point. Couple that with the fact that they signed Grant Williams to a four-year deal in free agency, and the need for Hardaway dwindles significantly. Hayward would slot in as the primary scoring option off the bench while also having the ability to stretch the floor and play alongside Luka and Kyrie.
The Mavs would likely have to part ways with second-year guard Jaden Hardy for this deal to work. Hardy showed flashes of being a real contributor towards the tail end of last season, and his inclusion could sway the Hornets to take on the salaries of Hardaway and Richaun Holmes. If the fit isn’t successful, the Mavericks are, at the very least, clearing cap space for the 2024-25 offseason.
Parting ways with Hardy could be a mistake, but the Mavericks are no strangers to risks. The clock on Luka’s time in Dallas continues to tick, and another postseason flub could spell disaster. The Mavericks desperately need to return to the top of the league, and a Gordon Hayward acquisition has the potential to push them in the right direction – at least in the short term.