Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Jakob Poeltl #19 of the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on March 8, 2026.

Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images

Three Bad Contracts The Dallas Mavericks Could Absorb For NBA Draft Capital

James PierceyJune 18, 2026 7:56 AMJune 18, 2026 7:56 AM

DHJ Quick Take: Three Contracts Dallas Could Absorb for Picks

The Dallas Mavericks have the cap flexibility and the need for draft capital to take on an overpriced contract this offseason. Jakob Poeltl, Patrick Williams, and De’Aaron Fox each fit the profile.

Why are the Mavericks a fit to absorb a bad contract? They are short on future first-round picks but carry reasonable veteran money and have time before Cooper Flagg’s prime.
What would Jakob Poeltl cost? Toronto would likely need to attach two unprotected first-round picks, given a three-year extension that averages $28 million and a long injury history.
Is Patrick Williams worth the money? He averaged 7.0 points on a career-low 37.2% from the field in 2025-26, well short of his $18 million salary.
What would it take to land De’Aaron Fox? At least one unprotected future first, with a $55.4 million average annual value that runs through 2029-30.

If you hadn’t heard, NBA contracts are large.

Why wouldn’t they be? The NBA generates billions of dollars. There’s no league without the players. So, they’re compensated (somewhat) accordingly.

That said, some players are inarguably overpaid. They were perhaps compensated after a career-best season. Now, they’re a problem for their team’s salary sheet. They may be able to trade them, but it will cost them assets.

Enter the Dallas Mavericks. This team is light on future-focused draft capital. They also have several veterans on reasonable contracts, and a few years to spare before they’re contending with the young Cooper Flagg as their centerpiece. The Mavs are a prime candidate to soak up some bad deals in exchange for picks.

Here are three they could target.

Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors

In the current NBA landscape, this is perhaps the granddaddy of bad deals.

As of next year, Jakob Poeltl‘s Average Annual Value (AAV) will be $28 million. That would be a stretch even if he were regularly healthy. Poeltl is a good defensive big with some passing chops, but for a non-creator, that’s a somewhat high price.

Unfortunately, Poeltl hasn’t managed a 60-game season in three years. That’s what makes his deal particularly difficult to swallow. It’s also the reason why the Raptors would have to attach so much draft capital to get off of it. If they were willing to send two unprotected firsts, the Mavs should think about absorbing Poeltl’s money.

If he gets healthy, he’s a marginally overpaid fringe starter. If he doesn’t, he’ll be easier to trade by the time Dallas is extending Cooper Flagg anyway, and they’ll have two future first-round picks at their disposal.

Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls

Patrick Williams‘ deal is modest – at least, compared to Poeltl’s. He’s set to make $18 million next year, with a player option he’ll likely accept ahead of 2027-28. That’s not devastating, but it’s still too much money relative to his production.

In 2025-26, Williams averaged just 7.0 points per game while shooting 34.7% from deep. He’s a solid defender, but he’s unexceptional. Typically, there are simply more dynamic players than Williams to put on the floor.

So, the Bulls could look to move him this summer. P.J. Washington would be an upgrade. It wouldn’t be worth the Bulls’ time to send an unprotected first in that exchange, but even a handful of second-rounders would benefit a pick-starved Mavericks franchise.

De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs

The biggest name on this list, De’Aaron Fox is fresh off of a trip to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately for him, the season’s final series showed that the Spurs should move on from Fox. It’s time for them to clear the runway for Dylan Harper as soon as possible.

It won’t be easy. Fox’s $55.4 AAV through 2029-30 is monstrous. He’s a good player, but he is not worth that kind of money. With a talented young roster, this Spurs team needs to be cap-conscious.

Put differently, they may be desperate to trade a good point guard. The Mavericks could indulge them – at the right price. Dallas should need at least one unprotected future first to take Fox’s deal, but if that’s what the Spurs are offering, it would be something to think about:

Even with his huge contract in mind.