With just days before the NBA's trade deadline is here, the Dallas Mavericks still have yet to make any moves despite rumors circling multiple players. The obvious choice to get traded has been Anthony Davis, but after some recent reports indicate the Mavericks may not be trading him, the question still remains: how will the Mavericks dodge the second apron tax penalty if they don't trade Davis before the offseason?
Unfortunately for most fans, if Davis isn't going to be on the move this trade deadline or even during the offseason, it likely means the Mavericks will have to trade players like Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, or Daniel Gafford. Dallas is right under the second apron right now, but they have to give themselves some more wiggle room.
While seeing any of these three players get traded would break fans' hearts, the Mavericks need to avoid tax repercussions in today's new CBA rules.
Even if Anthony Davis isn't traded, Dallas must make other moves
In today's NBA, with the current stipulations of the CBA, teams can suffer severe punishment if they go over the second apron. As currently stands, the Mavericks are poised to surpass the second apron, especially since they're bound to have a favorable draft pick and will bring in a player on a rookie deal. To avoid that outcome, the Mavs need to make some trades to put themselves in a great position for the summer.
The obvious choice would be to trade Davis' massive contract, but due to his being one of the worst assets to hold in the NBA due to his injury history and large contract, it's unlikely the Mavericks will get any teams to bite. With this in mind, it likely means that some smaller contracts will be dealt with at the deadline.
Both Marshall and Gafford have been some names to monitor in the trade market due to their team-friendly contracts and ability to impact any team as a starter or off the bench. For Gafford, the Mavericks could easily get expiring contracts and potential draft assets after he signed a contract extension in the offseason, and for Marshall, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities to ask for a future first-round pick.
Thompson is a veteran shooter who can knock down just about any shot from anywhere and has four championships to back up his experience. With his current $16 million annual contract, it makes him the perfect candidate to be dealt to a contending team for a relatively low price.
It's unclear how willing the Mavericks are to trade some of their best bargaining chips, but with the future of Cooper Flagg on the minds of every fan, focusing on building around him should be at the top of the priority list for the front office. Trading any of these three players and getting young assets or even future draft capital in return should be the only thing worth taking outside of expiring contracts for Dallas.
Marshall would likely bode the best return package out of any player, including Davis, but due to him only making $9 million annually, matching contracts makes it difficult for a contending team. The Mavericks must avoid future tax penalties at all cost especially with how early the team is in the Flagg era, but if it doesn't mean trading Davis, it unfortunately means Marshall, Gafford, or Thompson will be on the move to avoid the headaches of the second apron this offseason.