The Mavericks contacted Harden s offer of 100 million in three years, supplemented Irving s position as the core of tactical skills, and joined forces with Thick Eyebrow to win the championshi

The latest report from the famous NBA reporter Shams Sharania, after the Mavericks won the No. 2025 pick and confirmed Cooper Flag's selection, their next goal is to sign a starting point guard and are contacting James Harden to seek a suitable contract, which may be a three-year, $100 million contract. The Mavericks' unexpected winning of the No. 1 pick did not change the management's planned plan. They will go all out to compete for the championship in the next three years, which will build a team that is both offensive and defensive around the core lineup of Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Lefley and Gafford. The Mavericks will train Flag next season and take winning the championship as their primary goal. To successfully implement this plan, they must find a qualified starting point guard and fill the gap in Irving's time to recover from injury for most of the 2025-26 season. Mavericks president Nick Harrison believes that the Mavericks lineup urgently needs a point guard to integrate half-court offensive resources, and both Davis and Lefly need a defender who can create offensive opportunities for them.

Irving was originally a suitable point guard candidate, and the cruciate ligament injury is expected to take 8 to 12 months to recover. Judging from the longest time, Irving's comeback in February 2025 means that the Mavericks must find the right person to temporarily replace Irving's job. "My source revealed that the Mavericks will seek point guards through trade or free market signing," said Charania. "This is the Mavericks' management's top priority. Irving's comeback is currently scheduled for January next season, which prompts the Mavericks to find plug-and-play point guards to fill the gap. "

Mavericks general manager Nick Harrison has begun to contact Harden's agent team, and the two sides are discussing the possibility of a contract. Harden has a $36.35 million player option in the offseason. He originally planned to sign a new three-year, $150 million contract as a free agent to stay with the Clippers. After the end of the season, the Clippers management disagrees with Harden's renewal asking price. Several executives confirmed that the Clippers still offer $70 million for two years. This offer disappointed Harden and his team. Harden is considering getting a satisfactory three-year contract from the free agent market and having the opportunity to win the championship.

"The Mavericks and Harden are interested in each other. Nick Harrison and Harden's agent Troy Payne had two conversations." Sharania said. "The current news shows that the Mavericks tend to offer a three-year, $100 million contract, which is a fair contract for the 35-year-old Harden." Although Harden is re-selected in the All-Star lineup this season, the reality is ahead of him, and it is difficult to get a maximum salary contract again. Harden must seek some balance between contract renewal and championship goal. Joining the Mavericks for $100 million in three years is probably one of Harden’s few best options.

The Mavericks' pursuit of Harden was a well-thought-out decision. Even after Irving returned from injury, he could join forces with Harden to form a top backcourt. His career at the Nets proved that they could play very well. Harden and Irving's defenders can support the offensive system, and the frontcourts of Davis, Lefley and Gafford are enough to make the Mavericks' defense the top of the league. In the report, Sharania said that Harden's team will seriously consider the Mavericks' proposal. The free agent market has not yet begun. Harden needs to make a decision before June 29, and both sides have time to see what will happen.

From the perspective of labor-capital agreement, the Mavericks are technically enough to sign Harden. Irving has a $43 million player option. As long as Irving refuses to execute the contract and becomes a free agent, the Mavericks have the conditions to sign Harden and then use Bird terms to renew Irving. The Mavericks are working in this direction. Once Harden agrees to accept the contract to join the Mavericks, it will be a win-win situation for Harden himself, the Mavericks and Irving. If Harden decides to stay with the Clippers, the Mavericks will implement alternatives, bringing Schroeder, Tyame Jones, Paul or Brogdon.

The Mavericks urgently need an experienced temporary on-field organizer who can control the pace of the game and assist the team in the offense. Harden himself has not made any statement yet. He needs to seriously consider various situations. The offseason may be his last chance in his career.