The Dallas Mavericks have made sweeping changes this offseason. It won’t be much longer until the franchise rediscovers a winning direction.
Dallas has made a concerted effort to build a rising Western Conference contender around Cooper Flagg, bringing in Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser and Zaccharie Risacher while adding two more young prospects through the 2026 NBA Draft. The front office also changed, with Masai Ujiri taking over as team president, Mike Schmitz becoming general manager and Dusty May taking over as head coach. The Mavericks also bought out the final year of Klay Thompson’s contract earlier this week.
Kyrie Irving is expected to return after missing last season with a knee injury, while P.J. Washington is confident he will remain with the Mavericks despite trade speculation. Daniel Gafford has also continued to surface in trade rumors, but Dallas has yet to move him.
One potential trade, however, could give the Mavericks another major piece to put alongside Flagg and Irving.
Jalen Duren, a 6-foot-10 center who just earned his first All-NBA selection, could be on the move if the Detroit Pistons are unable to come to terms with the 22-year-old big man.
Here’s a simple trade framework that could bring him to Dallas.
Mavericks receive: Jalen Duren (via sign-and-trade; four-year, $157.9 million contract)
Pistons receive: Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin and first round picks in 2029 and 2031
Why Jalen Duren Makes Would Work Around Cooper Flagg
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 19: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons in action in Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 19, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The 22-year-old just completed his fourth NBA season and took a massive step forward, averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 70 games while shooting an absurd 65.0 percent from the field. Those numbers earned Duren his first All-Star selection and a spot on the 2025-26 All-NBA Third Team.
He ranked sixth in the NBA in rebounding at 10.5 per game last season and fourth among qualified players in field goal percentage. His 3.8 offensive rebounds per game were also among the league leaders at the center position.
Duren’s offensive game has increasingly expanded beyond simply catching lobs and cleaning up around the basket, though his struggles in the postseason are still hard to ignore.
The Mavs have to clear a frontcourt logjam sooner than later, so adding Duren may seem counterproductive. But Duren is a rising superstar. His addition would make it far easier for the Mavs to then deal Washington and pick up further assets as they clarify the rotation around Flagg and company.
Why the Pistons Could Make the Trade
Detroit just watched Duren become an All-NBA player and helped lead the franchise to its best regular season in years. The only reason for the Pistons to give him away is if they can’t secure Duren to a long-term deal.
Duren is a restricted free agent, and the two sides have reportedly had difficult negotiations over his next contract. Because he made an All-NBA team, Detroit can offer him a contract starting at up to 30 percent of the salary cap, creating an enormous financial decision for the organization.
If Detroit becomes uncomfortable with the price of retaining him, a sign-and-trade for someone like Gafford could be an excellent fallback option
Gafford averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game for Dallas while shooting 70.1 percent from the field in the 2025-26 season. His time playing alongside Luka Doncic showed he can especially thrive when playing alongside a superstar creator. The Pistons could feel good about his fit alongside Cade Cunningham.
Detroit would be sacrificing a 22-year-old All-NBA center, so it would need a substantial return. Two future first-round selections, a starting-caliber center and a veteran wing in Martin would at least give the Pistons a package to strongly consider if Duren’s contract situation doesn’t shake free from the ongoing stalemate.
Mavericks Projected to Land 6’10” All-NBA Superstar Next to Cooper Flagg