Three-Team Trade Idea Sends Klay Thompson to Eastern Conference

The Dallas Mavericks are going to make some big changes over the next few weeks. With the firing of Nico Harrison will come a flurry of moves that better set up the Mavericks to compete in the future with Cooper Flagg.

Most of the Mavericks trade rumors surround a potential Anthony Davis trade, but Klay Thompson is also a player who is likely to be moved. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report laid out a potential Mavericks trade that could bring a nice piece to Dallas for Klay. 

The trade looks like this:

“Mavericks get:

Anfernee Simons (from Celtics)

Haywood Highsmith (from Nets)

Celtics get:

Daniel Gafford (from Mavericks)

$27.7 million trade exception (Anfernee Simons)

Nets get:

Klay Thompson (from Mavericks)

Dwight Powell (from Mavericks)

Rights to Yam Madar (No. 47 in 2020, from Celtics)

2026 second-rounder (via Celtics)

2030 Philadelphia 76ers second-rounder (via Mavericks)

2031 protected Houston Rockets second-rounder (via Celtics)

$3.98 million (from Mavericks)

$3.98 million (from Celtics)... 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.”

This is a nice trade for the Mavericks. They get to shed Thompson’s salary, clear up their rotation at center, and pick up a young player with some upside. If Simons plays well in Dallas, he could be a nice piece next to Flagg down the road. If not, he is an expiring contract, and they could use the money for more flexibility. Either way, this trade seems like a win for the Mavericks.