After the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Lottery about two weeks ago, their offseason went from a potential disaster to incredible, as they now have the chance to add Cooper Flagg to a core already including Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson.
Once they add Flagg in the draft next month, their main priority will quickly shift to adding a guard via free agency, the trade market, or the draft, as it's known they are looking for playmaking and ball handlng to help fill the hole that was created by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers at last season's trade deadline.
Dallas also has to find a player to help replace Irving's production as he recovers from his ACL tear, and Chris Paul may be the perfect choice. He is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the Mavericks already have the perfect recruiting pitch prepared for Paul before free agency begins.
Mavericks offer Chris Paul a great shot at winning his first NBA Finals
Even though the Mavericks will likely only have veteran minimum contracts to offer unless they do some serious cap-saving moves, they have the chance to offer Paul the starting point guard spot on a title-contending team for over half of the season, which he likely won't be able to find anywhere else. Paul would immediately be handed the keys to the Mavs' offense on opening night until Irving returns (likely at some point in 2026), and at 40 years old, this may be his final chance to hold a starting role on a contender.
Paul just finished a one-year, $11 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, and moving just four hours north to play for the Mavs wouldn't be a bad idea. For San Antonio, he averaged 8.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from 3-point range, showing that he can still play big minutes at this point in his career.
The Spurs' offense was noticeably much better when he was on the floor, as they posted a 116.4 offensive rating when he was on the floor compared to a 111.3 offensive rating when he was off the floor. Paul is still a capable floor general who makes those around him better, and that's all the Mavericks need.
They don't need a score-first guard; they need someone who can get the ball to everyone else in their spots while not turning it over, and that's exactly what Paul would bring. While he may not be the same player he once was at earlier stages in his career, Paul is still a major threat in the pick and roll, who can create his own shot and for others.
His mastery of the pick and roll would make him a dream fit next to Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, as he is an excellent lob passer, and his pull-up mid-range jumper keeps the defense honest. Paul's fit as the stopgap point guard while Irving is out is nearly perfect, and while he may not be the best fit to play alongside Irving, he is still too good of a player to overlook.
The Mavericks could give him the role of leading the second unit once Irving returns, and considering they're going to have plenty of size next season with Flagg, Davis, Lively II, and P.J. Washington, they could try playing him next to Irving in certain situations and at least try it out.
The Mavericks don't have the most money in the league to offer Paul, but they can offer him a shot at winning the NBA Finals — something he hasn't achieved in his 20-year career.