The NBA is in a very weird spot. The Chicago Bulls were expected to be a .500 team, and the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers were expected to be in the mix for a playoff spot.
Instead, the Bulls got off to a hot start (and have since cooled down, but are still a threat), and the Mavericks and Clippers are near the bottom of the standings.
With Cooper Flagg in town, Dallas has been urged to tank away this season and rebuild around him. They have the means to add draft picks and build a solid roster on a future-driven timeline.
The Clippers, meanwhile, have been ravaged by injuries and owe this year’s pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. With no chance of going on a deep run, the Mavericks and Clippers could sell their best talent before the trade deadline.
The Bulls have the means to orchestrate a blockbuster NBA mock trade.
GettyAnthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the anthem before a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 15, 2025
Blockbuster NBA Mock Trade Impacts 3 Teams
The Bulls have been linked to Anthony Davis ever since the Mavericks fired Nico Harrison. A hometown hero, Davis would fit well with the Bulls, provided he is healthy.
Mark Cuban, who is back in the Mavericks’ front office, has expressed that he would prefer to keep Davis around. However, if their season continues to disappoint, rebuilding around Flagg might look even more appealing.
The Bulls, meanwhile, have found success pairing Josh Giddey with a more traditional point guard, namely Tre Jones. The Duke product has been solid this season, although in an effort to go on a deep run, Chicago could look for an upgrade.
Full Mock Trade Details
- Dallas Mavericks receive: Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Jevon Carter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2028 first-round pick (via CHI), 2032 first-round pick (via CHI), 2032 second-round pick (via CHI)
- Chicago Bulls receive: Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, James Harden, Nicolas Batum, Cam Christie
- Los Angeles Clippers receive: Dwight Powell, Zach Collins, Patrick Williams, Kevin Huerter, Dante Exum, 2026 first-round pick (via CHI), 2030 first-round pick (via CHI), 2028 second-round pick (via CHI), 2030 second-round pick (via CHI)
The Clippers and Mavericks embrace a rebuild, although the timeline to get back to contention is up to them. The Bulls, meanwhile, go all-in on a star-studded roster while keeping their young core intact.
Why Mock Trade Works for All 3 Teams
For starters, a lineup in Chicago of Giddey, Davis, Matas Buzelis, James Harden, and Issac Okoro would be one of the best in the entire NBA. By giving up multiple draft picks and expiring contracts, the Bulls can retain most of their depth, allowing them to weather any injuries.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, expand on a popular mock trade that has already made the rounds. Coby White and Nikola Vucevic will both be free agents next summer, so the Mavericks can decide after the season if they want to embrace youth or remain somewhat relevant, even after Flagg takes the reins.
The Clippers, meanwhile, are a little bit hopeless. With their pick owed to the Thunder, convincing them to trade Harden, Nic Batum, Cam Christie, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and embrace a tank will be a hard sell. However, only Patrick Williams is under contract next season. All of the other incoming players will be free agents.
The Clippers can use their new draft picks, which they sorely need, and their newfound cap space to entice stars to come to Los Angeles.
After this trade, the Bulls would still have up to four first-round picks (one from POR is protected) to trade, swap, or use in future years.
On top of that, no one would have to waive or add any players after this deal to field legal rosters. As long as the deal is finalized after December 15th, it’s perfectly legal. Of course, any three-team deal is hard to flesh out, but this trade gives all teams involved clear direction moving forward.
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