Report: Mavericks Expressed Interest In Jimmy Butler, Kyle Kuzma Before Trading Luka Doncic For Anthony Davis

According to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Dallas Mavericks expressed interest in Jimmy Butler and Kyle Kuzma before trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. 

The Mavericks shocked the sports world when they traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis and Max Christie. 

The Miami Heat traded Butler to the Golden State Warriors, while the Washington Wizards sent Kuzma to the Milwaukee Bucks.

“Before the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic in a blockbuster deal to acquire Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick, the team also expressed interest in Jimmy Butler and Kyle Kuzma, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “It marked the second straight trade deadline the Mavericks expressed interest in Kuzma, who was nearly traded to Dallas last season before eventually landing with the Milwaukee Bucks this past month.

“PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford briefly came up in trade talks for Butler, but exploratory discussions didn’t go far, league sources told HoopsHype. At the time, Miami sought starting-caliber players on short-term deals who could help the Heat compete this season while giving them financial flexibility for the future as part of a trade package for the disgruntled Butler.”

The Mavericks are 32-29 on the season. They are in 10th place in the West. 

Davis has only appeared in one game with Dallas. The All-Star got hurt in his first game with the Mavericks against the Houston Rockets.

Davis played 31 minutes before getting hurt, finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.

Doncic is averaging 22.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists with the Lakers, who are 38-21 on the season. Los Angeles is in second place in the West. 

The Lakers look like legitimate championship contenders with Doncic and LeBron James leading the way.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks would be in the NBA play-in tournament if the season ended today. 

Davis is a better player than Butler and Kuzma, but he does have an extensive injury history.