One of the biggest questions that surrounded the relationship between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks after the fiery fallout of the Luka Doncic trade was about just how long both sides had to wait to work with each other again. The answer revealed itself at the 2026 NBA Draft.
With a new regime in Dallas that features Masai Ujiri at the forefront of managing basketball operations, the Mavericks were technically involved with the Lakers on two trades between night one and night two. That is a promising sign for future business between both sides.
The first of those instances is where the technicality comes in. The initial swap between the Lakers and New York Knicks that landed Cameron Carr in Los Angeles eventually tied the Mavericks in as a part of a four-team trade that involved those three and the Phoenix Suns.
The more definitive statement about the two sides and their willingness to work together came on night two. After the Lakers bought their way into the second round, they sold that late-round selection after the prospect they wanted was clearly not available. The 56th overall pick and the rights to Vsevolod Ishchenko were sent from Los Angeles to Dallas.
Lakers and Mavericks have opened the door on being trade partners again
It was always valid to question just how long it would be until the optics of the Mavericks trading with the Lakers could look passable again. Dallas' two moves with Los Angeles signal their new regime is ready to move forward with Cooper Flagg and put the Doncic fiasco in the rearview.
This is great news for the Lakers. As long as there is compelling enough reason for the Mavericks to do business, the Luka-sized elephant in the room that was once there appears to have exited the building. At this point, it may just be a mouse squeaking about how Dallas has to come out of the trade not looking like they got fleeced beyond belief.
Why does all that matter? Well, because the Mavericks still employ plenty of players who joined the franchise with Doncic in mind.
There are a handful of pieces in Dallas who would make a ton of sense as trade targets for the next iteration of the Lakers. Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington immediately stand out as win-now players who could help Los Angeles field a contender next season around Luka.
Rob Pelinka should feel bold enough to ask, at the very least. The Mavericks should be willing to have the conversation, if there is enough in it for them.
Add us as a preferred source on Google