Dallas Mavericks Eyeing Jimmy Butler in Another Blockbuster Trade After Shocking Luka Doncic Deal
The NBA offseason has already delivered jaw-dropping moves, and the Dallas Mavericks may not be done yet. After stunning the league by trading away franchise superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a massive three-team deal involving the Utah Jazz, Dallas is now reportedly looking at another blockbuster acquisition: Miami Heat All-Star guard Jimmy Butler.
On Sunday, the Mavericks sent shockwaves through the basketball world by parting ways with Doncic, the face of their franchise. In return, they landed All-Star big man Anthony Davis from the Lakers, forming a new foundation for their roster. While many analysts believe Los Angeles emerged as the biggest winner in the trade by pairing Doncic with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Dallas still has an opportunity to reshape its future and remain a contender in the Western Conference.
Jimmy Butler (Photo by Sam Navarro/Getty Images)
Dallas GM Nico Harrison has his work cut out for him, as Mavericks fans are still processing the departure of their beloved superstar. However, one way to soften the blow and reignite excitement in the fanbase would be to execute another blockbuster trade—this time for Jimmy Butler. The move would give the Mavericks a formidable core featuring Butler, Davis, and Kyrie Irving, a trio that could instantly elevate the team’s championship aspirations.
Bleacher Report’s Bold Trade Proposal
NBA analyst Andy Bailey from Bleacher Report recently proposed a trade scenario that would see Dallas acquire Miami’s disgruntled star Jimmy Butler in exchange for a package consisting of:
Klay Thompson
Daniel Gafford
P.J. Washington
First-round pick swaps in 2026 and 2031
Bailey elaborated on why this deal makes sense for both sides:
“They [the Mavericks] just made the NBA Finals with the bulk of their current roster. And landing Butler would probably mean unloading last season’s acquisitions, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. Those two were integral in Dallas’ 2024 playoff run.
The Mavericks are also light on draft capital. So if Butler’s market heats up, plenty of teams can probably outbid them.
But the best offer Dallas can put together (without including Kyrie Irving) is at least competitive. And there’s a world in which Butler is the short-term upgrade necessary to push the Mavs to the one spot they haven’t been yet.”
Notably, Bailey’s proposal was made before the shocking Luka Doncic trade, but the logic behind it still holds strong. By essentially turning Doncic into Davis and Butler, Dallas would transform itself from a “Big Two” to a “Big Three”, giving them a well-balanced mix of scoring, defense, and playoff experience.
Why This Move Makes Sense for the Mavericks
Dallas would have a drastically different identity after such a shake-up. Instead of a team built around an offensive juggernaut in Luka Doncic, the Mavericks would become a defensive powerhouse with two elite two-way stars in Butler and Davis. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving would provide the offensive spark, giving Dallas a balanced and dangerous trio.
Anthony Davis would anchor the defense and dominate the paint.
Jimmy Butler would bring toughness, leadership, and clutch scoring.
Kyrie Irving would be the elite shot-creator and closer.
From a competitive standpoint, this move could push Dallas closer to championship contention. Butler’s track record in the playoffs is undeniable, and pairing him with an elite big man like Davis could be a game-changer for a Mavericks team looking for a new direction post-Doncic.
Would Miami Be Willing to Move Butler?
The biggest question remains: Would the Miami Heat actually trade Jimmy Butler? The star guard has reportedly been frustrated with the organization, and Miami may be open to reshaping its roster if they don’t see a path to contention with Butler leading the way. If the Mavericks present an enticing enough offer—including valuable assets like Thompson, Gafford, and draft capital—Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office may consider pulling the trigger.
Final Thoughts: A Gamble Worth Taking?
There’s no doubt that trading Luka Doncic was a seismic shift for the Mavericks. But if Dallas wants to truly make a run at a championship, adding Jimmy Butler could be the perfect move to solidify their roster.
A trio of Butler, Davis, and Irving could be exactly what Dallas needs to prove they’re still a force to be reckoned with in the West. The question now is whether they can pull off one more league-shaking move before the dust settles.
Miami & Jimmy Butler Are Headed For An Ugly Divorce
Pat Riley and the Heat now have two days to move Jimmy Butler with Thursday’s trade deadline looming. They obviously won’t want to risk losing him for nothing (he has a player option for 2025-26), so expect Butler to be dealt at some point between today and Thursday’s deadline.
