When Kyrie Irving suffered an ACL tear in early March, it immediately exposed the Dallas Mavericks’ lack of guard depth. The problem became even more pressing after the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. With two of their premier ball handlers now out of the picture—one due to injury and the other due to trade—the Mavs were left scrambling to find reinforcements in the backcourt.
As free agency approaches, bolstering their guard rotation has become a top priority for Dallas. They’ve reportedly shown interest in veterans like Chris Paul and Jrue Holiday, but according to NBA insider Marc Stein, another intriguing name has surfaced: Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball.
Ball, currently in the first year of a two-year, $20 million deal with a player option for the second season, may be an ideal stopgap while Irving recovers—likely through part of 2026. Even beyond Irving’s return, Ball’s skill set allows him to slot in alongside him seamlessly.
Last season, Ball averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals over 35 games, shooting 34.4% from beyond the arc. If he can stay healthy, he offers the Mavericks a reliable combination of size, defense, playmaking, and three-point shooting all traits the team needs at the point guard position. With 253 career starts under his belt, Ball also brings valuable experience.
His style of play aligns with head coach Jason Kidd’s vision of pushing the pace next season. Given his injury history and the Bulls’ depth at the guard spot, Dallas may not need to give up significant assets to acquire him. More than just a fit on the court, Ball’s reputation as a strong locker room presence could make him a culture fit as well.
A potential opening night lineup of Ball, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II would give the Mavericks elite defensive potential. At 6’6″ with a 6’9″ wingspan, Ball is a versatile perimeter defender who excels at disrupting passing lanes and turning defense into fast-break offense.
Offensively, Dallas would primarily need Ball to space the floor, run the offense efficiently, and keep turnovers low. While he isn’t a shot creator in the traditional sense, his high basketball IQ and exceptional passing make him a reliable floor general.
In short, Ball’s unselfish style and ability to contribute with or without Irving on the court make him a compelling trade target. If he can remain healthy, the Mavericks may have found the perfect under-the-radar solution to their current backcourt dilemma.
