The Dallas Mavericks made the biggest splash of the offseason to this point Monday, announcing they had hired Masai Ujiri as the team's new President and Alternate Governor. Ujiri's previous role was with the Toronto Raptors, spending 12 years at the forefront of building what eventually led to an NBA Championship in 2019. Last offseason, he parted ways with Toronto, which has now led him to the Mavericks.
During Ujiri's time in Toronto, there were always talks of his personal connection with Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially luring him across the border from Milwaukee to Canada. While that idea never came to fruition with the Raptors, it very well could in Dallas.
Often, when we see a new person put in place to lead a franchise, they are eager to make their presence felt with a big-time play. Considering Giannis is already in trade rumors, Ujiri's connection to the two-time MVP makes Dallas now a realistic landing spot for the 'Greek Freak'. If the Mavericks do choose to head down that path, before they call Milwaukee, they could call the Pelicans about acquiring the rights to the Bucks' first-round pick in the 2027 NBA draft. It's fair to assume that if the Bucks do trade Giannis, a rebuild will follow, and for that to be a success, they'll need their pick.
This is where, once again, the New Orleans Pelicans can control the market and manipulate both the Bucks and teams interested in Giannis to better their roster.
The Mavs are the latest team New Orleans can exploit with the Giannis trade buzz
The obvious starting point if you're the Pelicans is the same place I've started with most of my trade proposals centered around the Bucks' 2027 first: packaging it with Jordan Poole. By attaching that pick to Poole, New Orleans can truly kill two birds with one stone by offloading JP's deal and upgrading the roster with one move.
When looking at the Mavericks roster heading into the summer, there are plenty of intriguing assets New Orleans could target if Dallas is looking to be a Giannis player this summer. Starting with Daniel Gafford, who on paper fits perfectly at center for this Pelicans team. He's a great rebounder, rim protector, play finisher, sets hard screens, has good height and size, and has been a legit contributor on a title contender. Outside of him, both Max Christie and Klay Thompson are interesting potential additions.
Both floor spacers who could slot in well as off guards, bring good size to the guard spot, and can both be solid defenders and have solid secondary ball-handling instincts. With Thompson, the Pelicans get more of a leader and veteran presence, with Christie, they get more of a high-potential upside swing that can still also have an impact from day one.
A combination of Gafford and one of Christie or Thompson for Poole and the Bucks pick would be a massive win for the Pelicans. That type of deal addresses the needs for shooting and a true center.
For Dallas, it gives them the ammo needed to put together a compelling Giannis package if Masai Ujiri is interested in going big fish hunting this offseason. While Ujiri did suggest he wants to surround Cooper Flagg with shooters and athletic players, he may not be able to turn down the idea of finally landing Giannis, and the Pelicans can offer a path to doing that.
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