The Dallas Mavericks have already done their part to help set the Los Angeles Lakers up for the next decade. Giftwrapping Luka Doncic and sending him to Hollywood will never be unappreciated. However, that appears to be where the good will is going to run out.
It's been just over a year since Doncic packed his bags for the bright lights of Los Angeles. Considering how well-constructed that Mavericks team was around him, the Lakers would not be blamed for wanting to poach a few extra players from Dallas. That is not going to happen.
Dan Woike delivered an extensive round-up of rumor mill intel about the Lakers for The Athletic. There were a few potential targets in Dallas who the beat writer named in his report. Despite the clear fit, the fresh wound of the Doncic trade is going to prevent a deal coming together..
Woike wrote, "Naji Marshall has also generated interest around the Lakers, though the pathways to any deal with the Dallas Mavericks after the Luka Doncic trade last season have gigantic 'road closed' signs all over them. The same is probably true for Daniel Gafford."
Mavericks won't be interested in trading with the Lakers anytime soon
Who could really blame the Mavericks for not wanting to help the Lakers any further after last year? That would just be a little greedy on the part of Los Angeles.
In all seriousness, the optics would be pretty atrocious for Dallas.
You give away a top-five player in the NBA for a fraction of the cost and then you send even more players to join him and help strengthen his new team? That would not fly for the Mavericks, no matter how good the return package might be from the Lakers.
With relation to the latter, the getback for any trade with Los Angeles is not going to be terrific either. The Lakers can offer teams financial flexibility with their expiring contracts. However, there is no real asset or player (that is readily available to be dealt) which would raise significant interest.
The Lakers would not be blamed for poking around on Marshall or Gafford. Both players would be strong additions beside Doncic. The Mavericks know that as well as anyone else does.
In the same way that Rob Pelinka would be faultless for picking up the phone to call, the Mavericks front office would be equally justified in letting it go to voicemail.