Podcast Summary: "Rebuilding the Dallas Mavericks"

Podcast: The Athletic NBA Daily
Hosts: Andrew Schlecht, Dave DuFour, Xena Keita, Esper Henny
Date: November 12, 2025

Overview

This episode dives deep into the state of the Dallas Mavericks, discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the franchise as it enters a major rebuild. The hosts examine the aftermath of the Luka Dončić trade, the question of Anthony Davis’ (AD) future with the team, and possible trade scenarios. The discussion also weaves in broader strategies for NBA rebuilding, the limitations imposed by the Mavericks' depleted draft assets, and parallels with other franchises’ experiences. Spirited, sharp, and often humorous, the conversation is a candid exploration of what lies ahead for Dallas and how bold decisions and hard truths shape the NBA’s most pivotal turning points.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dallas Mavericks’ Current Situation

• Core Pieces for Rebuild
  • Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively are agreed as the true building blocks for the Mavericks’ future. (02:57)
  • Max Christie's inclusion is debated but largely set aside for now.
• State of the Franchise
  • The Mavericks have control of their 2026 pick—giving them one last chance to “tank” and acquire a difference-maker in a lauded draft class. (03:01—05:14)
  • From 2027 onward, the Mavs’ picks are mostly tied up with other teams, limiting flexibility for a traditional rebuild.

2. Anthony Davis Trade Debate

• Should the Mavs Trade AD?
  • The consensus is clear: “You gotta move on. Go ahead and get the tank. Get what you can now.” – Andrew Schlecht (05:17)
  • Pride and perceptions of embarrassment after the failed Luca trade should not get in the way. “You can’t let pride be a thing at this point.” – Andrew Schlecht (03:50)
• Trade Value Issues
  • AD’s trade value is plummeting due to injury concerns and looming (and expensive) contract extension demands.
  • Many hypothetical trades are "gross," "disgusting," or "depressing" in terms of return value. (08:13)
  • “They traded Luka Doncic to get this guy.” – Esper Henny, capturing the pain of the current situation (11:57)

3. Rebuilding Without Draft Picks

• Dallas must toggle between “tanking” and staying competitive, likened to Brooklyn's dilemma. (06:38)
• Three main approaches to rebuilding are outlined:
  • Prioritize cap space
  • Amass draft picks by taking on contracts or making trades
  • Jump in as a facilitator in other teams’ trades to grab assets
• "They're basically doing the opposite of the paperclip-for-a-house trade ... They had the house." – Andrew Schlecht (22:11—22:36)

4. Potential AD Trade Destinations & Hypotheticals

• AD to Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago (Bulls), Charlotte, New York Knicks, Detroit, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Golden State, and more are all discussed. Many scenarios are discarded quickly; a few gain traction.
• Bulls Scenario:
  • Bulls send a package (Kobe White, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, expiring contracts, and a pick) in exchange for AD.
  • “This works, man. Can you ... They traded Luka Doncic to get this guy.” (11:57)
• Charlotte Scenario:
  • Charlotte could send back Dallas’ own 2027 pick for AD—allowing Dallas a true tank/rebuild.
  • Mocked as a "magic beans" scenario—hoping for future value. (27:15—28:10)
• Teams Dismissed:
  • Celtics, Pacers, Bucks, Heat, Raptors, Pistons, and Wizards largely written off as unlikely fits.
• Phoenix Rockets Deal:
  • The idea of trading AD for Jalen Green and other assets comes up as a more plausible package, especially with Green's youth and upside.

5. Pride and Rebuilding Philosophy

• The panel agrees Mavericks must “set aside pride” and focus on the long-term rather than fixating on sunk costs or previous success.
  • “You have to set your pride aside... in order to go into the rebuilding process because it’s really tough.” – Dave DuFour (12:10, 12:25)
• Emphasis on the pain of watching the Mavericks become the “paperclip trader” franchise, slowly building up assets from almost nothing. (22:10—22:36)

6. Comparisons to OKC and Other Teams

• Reference to the Sam Presti model (Oklahoma City Thunder): embracing being bad while prioritizing the accumulation of young talent and picks. (06:01--06:21)
• “We saw it here in OKC... Had to really set aside the pride of what they had built.” – Dave DuFour (12:19)

7. Other Notable Nuggets

• Mavericks’ future depends heavily on new ownership's appetite for patience versus quick returns.
• The conversation is sprinkled with humor, including jokes about “scams,” “magic beans,” and teams being like "money laundering operations." (04:04, 30:55)
• Several trade proposals referenced with both playful skepticism and realism about league-wide AD demand.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pride and Rebuilding:
  • "You can’t let pride be a thing at this point... Because you got swindled already." – Andrew Schlecht [03:50]
• On Anthony Davis’ Value:
  • “This is disgusting.” – Dave DuFour, after hearing a trade package involving only role players and no picks for AD [08:13]
  • “He wants a massive extension this summer.” – Esper Henny, on why AD will be so hard to trade [08:43]
• On Rebuilding With No Assets:
  • “They’re basically doing the opposite. They had the house... They traded it for 300 paper clips.” – Andrew Schlecht [22:23—22:44]
• On Mavs’ Timeline:
  • “With Cooper [Flagg], there’s less pressure for them to immediately turn themselves into a contender or a competitive team... They have at least a five, six year window.” – Esper Henny [16:49]
• On the Reality of Current Returns:
  • “The value of Anthony Davis at this point is not where it was. They’re not going to get the type of return they would have got for Luka Doncic... That doesn’t exist anymore.” – Esper Henny [18:48]
• Magic Beans & Defense:
  • “Defense is the magic beans of the NBA.” – Andrew Schlecht [22:53]

Trade Hypotheticals & Timestamps

• Dallas’ Rebuild Core and Rationale – [02:47–06:01]
• Rebuilding Without Own Draft Picks – [05:14–06:38]
• Trading Anthony Davis: Should or Shouldn’t? – [03:28–05:23]
• AD Trade Destinations: Atlanta, Philly, Bulls – [06:56–12:10]
  ("Would you trade for Kobe White, Kevin Herter, Zach Collins, and Javon Carter and a pick? ... They do that all day." – Andrew & Dave)
• Knicks/Gafford/Bigs Discussion – [19:23–21:45]
• The Magic Beans & Rebuilding Analogy – [22:10–22:47]
• Charlotte as a Pick Recovery Trade – [27:11–28:11]
• Phoenix and the AD/Jalen Green Scenario – [39:18–41:34]
• Warriors Troubles & Post-Steph Anxiety – [43:48–51:05]
• Wrap-up & Celtics/OKC comparison – [48:48–51:05]
• Closing Thoughts on Mavericks’ Path – [51:05–end]

Tone & Style

The podcast features playful banter with underlying seriousness about the Mavericks’ dire situation. The hosts balance inside jokes (“magic beans,” “paperclip for a house”) with honest, sometimes biting analysis, and occasional fan Q&A integration.

Takeaways for Non-Listeners

• The Dallas Mavericks are in a tough spot—few picks, few assets, and a need to fully embrace a painful, pride-free rebuild.
• Anthony Davis’ value is low due to health and contract concerns; trade returns will be underwhelming.
• Best-case scenarios involve regaining lost picks or grabbing young/high-upside talent even if optics hurt.
• The Mavericks’ future direction will hinge on a stark, honest self-assessment and the front office’s willingness to prioritize the long term over face-saving.
• The episode offers a candid, sometimes comical look at how NBA franchises must wrestle with their own failures to start anew.

Full episode timestamped for in-depth moments and proposal breakdowns.