The Dallas Mavericks are at a crossroads after a disappointing 2024-25 season, marked by the controversial trade of Luka Dončić for Anthony Davis and a series of injuries that derailed their playoff hopes. With Davis proving unable to carry the team as the primary star and Kyrie Irving sidelined by a torn ACL, the Mavericks face a critical decision: double down on their current core or pivot toward a full rebuild. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls, fresh off another play-in tournament exit, are eager to capitalize on their young backcourt of Josh Giddey and Coby White by adding a superstar big man. A proposed three-team trade involving the Mavericks, Bulls, and Orlando Magic could reshape all three franchises, sending Anthony Davis to his hometown Chicago, kickstarting a Mavericks rebuild, and bringing Nikola Vučević back to Orlando. Below is a detailed breakdown of the trade, its rationale, and its implications for each team.
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The Trade Proposal
Based on a concept outlined by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, the trade is structured as follows:
Chicago Bulls Receive:
Anthony Davis (from Dallas)
Gary Harris (from Orlando)
Dallas Mavericks Receive:
Zach Collins (from Chicago)
Kevin Huerter (from Chicago)
Jonathan Isaac (from Orlando)
2028 first-round pick (from Chicago)
2029 first-round pick swap (from Chicago)
Top-five-protected 2030 first-round pick (from Chicago)
Orlando Magic Receive:
Nikola Vučević (from Chicago)
Top-50-protected 2025 second-round pick (from Dallas, via Philadelphia)
Chicago Bulls Lose:
Nikola Vučević
Zach Collins
Kevin Huerter
2028 first-round pick
2029 first-round pick swap
Top-five-protected 2030 first-round pick
This trade hinges on the Mavericks’ willingness to move on from Davis, the Bulls’ ambition to make a bold move, and the Magic’s desire to reunite with Vučević, a former franchise cornerstone.
Why the Trade Makes Sense for Each Team
Dallas Mavericks: Starting the Rebuild
The Mavericks’ acquisition of Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić was a gamble that has not paid off. Davis played only nine regular-season games in 2024-25 due to injuries, and the team finished with a 36-38 record, barely clinging to the 10th seed in the Western Conference play-in tournament. Kyrie Irving’s ACL injury and the absence of key role players like Dereck Lively II exposed the roster’s lack of depth and reliance on star power. With Davis turning 32 and carrying a $54.1 million salary next season, his injury history and limited playoff success as a primary option make him a risky long-term investment.
This trade allows Dallas to reset their asset pool and build for the future. The Mavericks receive three players—Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, and Jonathan Isaac—whose contracts provide financial flexibility. Collins and Huerter are on expiring deals totaling nearly $40 million, while Isaac’s contract includes only $8 million guaranteed beyond this season. This cap space could be used to pursue free agents or facilitate future trades. Additionally, the trio of draft picks from Chicago (a 2028 first-rounder, a 2029 pick swap, and a top-five-protected 2030 first-rounder) gives Dallas valuable assets to either draft young talent or package in future deals.
While the return for Davis may seem modest compared to what Dallas gave up for Dončić, it aligns with a rebuild strategy. The Mavericks can focus on developing young players like Dereck Lively II and Jaden Hardy, explore trading Irving if he recovers, and use their newfound cap space and picks to retool around a new core. The trade also mitigates the risk of Davis’s health issues derailing another season, allowing general manager Nico Harrison to pivot away from a failed experiment.
Chicago Bulls: Going All-In on a Hometown Star
The Bulls have struggled to break out of mediocrity, missing the playoffs in eight of the last ten seasons and failing to advance past the first round since 2015. However, the post-All-Star break performances of Josh Giddey (21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists per game) and Coby White (24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists) signal a backcourt ready to compete. Adding Anthony Davis, a Chicago native and one of the NBA’s premier two-way big men when healthy, could elevate the Bulls to a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference.
Davis’s rim protection and defensive versatility would transform Chicago’s defense, addressing a key weakness. His ability to run the rim and finish lobs would complement Giddey’s playmaking, while his presence in the paint would create open looks for White’s three-point shooting. The trade also brings Gary Harris, a veteran 3-and-D guard, to bolster the bench. Losing Vučević, Collins, and Huerter is a steep price, but none are central to Chicago’s long-term plans. Vučević’s $21 million expiring deal is expendable, and Collins and Huerter are tradeable assets. The draft picks are a significant cost, but the 2028 pick is likely to be late in the first round if the Bulls succeed, and the 2029 swap and 2030 protected pick carry manageable risk.
The Bulls’ front office has been cautious since the Vučević trade in 2021, but Davis represents a rare opportunity to acquire a top-10 player in his prime. His injury history is a concern, but Chicago’s young core of Giddey, White, and Matas Buzelis provides enough depth to weather potential absences. This move would signal an all-in push to compete now while building a foundation for the future.
Orlando Magic: A Low-Risk Reunion
The Magic, coming off a playoff appearance in 2024-25, are focused on developing their young core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs. Trading Jonathan Isaac, a defensively gifted but injury-prone forward, for Nikola Vučević makes sense for a team needing a reliable center. Vučević, who began his NBA career with Orlando from 2012 to 2021, is a familiar face who can provide scoring (17.0 points per game last season) and rebounding (10.5 rebounds per game) on an expiring $21 million contract.
The trade also nets a top-50-protected 2025 second-round pick, adding a minor asset to Orlando’s coffers. Losing Isaac is a calculated risk, as his defensive upside is offset by his inability to stay healthy. Vučević’s return allows the Magic to maintain competitiveness in the East while preserving their cap flexibility for future moves. This low-risk deal aligns with Orlando’s strategy of balancing immediate success with long-term growth.
Potential Risks and Criticisms
For Dallas
The primary criticism is that the Mavericks are giving up too soon on Davis, who showed flashes of brilliance when healthy, such as his 34-point, 15-rebound, 5-block performance against Atlanta on April 3, 2025. The return of Collins, Huerter, and Isaac—none of whom are game-changers—may not justify trading a player of Davis’s caliber. Additionally, the draft picks from Chicago may not convey as high-value selections if the Bulls succeed with Davis. Fans and analysts may also argue that trading both Dončić and Davis in quick succession signals a lack of direction, further eroding trust in Nico Harrison’s leadership.
For Chicago
Davis’s injury history is the biggest risk. He has played more than 60 games in only two of the last eight seasons, and his $54.1 million salary is a significant commitment for a player who may miss substantial time. The loss of three draft picks, while mitigated by protections, could haunt the Bulls if Davis’s health falters or if Giddey and White fail to sustain their breakout performances. Critics may also point to Chicago’s cautious front office, which has avoided blockbuster trades since Vučević, suggesting this move is out of character and overly risky.
For Orlando
The Magic face minimal risk, as they trade an injury-prone player in Isaac for a proven veteran in Vučević. The only potential downside is if Isaac stays healthy and fulfills his defensive potential elsewhere, but Orlando’s depth at forward with Banchero and Wagner reduces this concern. The second-round pick is a minor bonus, and Vučević’s expiring deal ensures flexibility.
Broader Implications for the NBA
This trade would send shockwaves through the league, further cementing the 2024-25 season as one of the most unpredictable in NBA history. For the Mavericks, it marks a full pivot from contention to rebuilding, potentially setting the stage for a new era in Dallas. The Bulls, by acquiring Davis, would signal their intent to compete in the Eastern Conference, challenging teams like the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. The Magic’s low-key move reinforces their steady approach, positioning them as a dark horse in the East.
The trade also raises questions about the Mavericks’ decision-making. Trading Dončić for Davis, only to move Davis months later, could go down as one of the most baffling sequences in NBA history. For Chicago, landing a hometown star like Davis would galvanize the fanbase but place immense pressure on the front office to deliver a playoff run. Orlando’s reunion with Vučević adds a nostalgic twist, potentially boosting team morale.
Conclusion
This three-team trade is a bold, high-stakes proposition that aligns with each team’s current goals. For the Mavericks, it’s a chance to wipe the slate clean after a disastrous season, stockpiling assets and cap space for a rebuild. For the Bulls, it’s an opportunity to bring a superstar home and transform their roster into a playoff contender. For the Magic, it’s a low-risk move to bolster their frontcourt while maintaining flexibility. While risks abound—particularly Davis’s health and Dallas’s long-term direction—the trade offers a compelling path forward for all three franchises. If executed, it could reshape the NBA landscape and set the stage for an exciting 2025-26 season.