A new report sheds light on some coaches the Dallas Mavericks could soon target to replace former head coach Jason Kidd.

Before the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers squared off in a wild Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals inside Madison Square Garden, the Mavericks dropped a bomb on the basketball world. And that was the firing of their head coach after five seasons on the job.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Kidd led the team to the NBA Finals two years ago, and has four years and $40 million left on his contract after signing an extension through 2024. The new Mavs head of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri, wanted a “clean slate” after taking the job a few weeks ago.

Micah Nouri is among potential targets to become the next Dallas Mavericks coach

The talented executive isn’t rushing into making a move, so he likely has multiple candidates in mind to lead the franchise. Late Tuesday night, Steen offered up a pair of assistants who would likely be on Ujiri’s candidate list.

As Steen noted, both have been linked to various head coaching jobs in recent years and come from two elite teams in the Western Conference. It’s also possible that Ujiri goes after more proven candidates like Billy Donovan, Jeff Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau, who have all been linked to the Orlando Magic job in recent days.

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A new report suggests that Masai Ujiri will make the first big move as the Dallas Mavericks’ new president of basketball operations, trading away, arguably, their best player before next season’s NBA trade deadline.

After several weeks of rumors and speculation, Mavericks governor and majority owner Patrick Dumont made a major breakthrough in his search for a new team president when he hired Ujiri last week. And the former Toronto Raptors president brings an impressive resume to Dallas.

During his tenure at North, Ujiri made seven consecutive playoff appearances. His first Eastern Conference Finals appearance (2016). First NBA Finals appearance (2019), and the franchise’s first championship in 2019. However, it is difficult to stay at the top for long, and he was forced out of his role last year after a couple of disappointing seasons.

Ujiri has shown a talent for drafting and development and making bold trades to take his teams a step forward. Dallas fans will surely be wondering what moves he can make to lift the Mavericks out of the bottom of the standings and back into playoff contention.

Although it may not come this summer, a new report suggests a specific big-time trade will take place during the season.

Are the Dallas Mavericks planning on trading Kyrie Irving before next season’s trade deadline?

On Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Wu reported how Ujiri’s priority will be building a better roster around young star Cooper Flagg. However, that endgame won’t include top star Kyrie Irving.

The 34-year-old nine-time All-Star missed the entire 2025-26 season after suffering an ACL injury in March 2025. Hopefully the extra recovery time will allow him to make an immediate impact next season. However, he is on a very different timeline than what the organization thinks about the 19-year-old Flagg and his journey to lead the Mavericks back to relevance.

That’s why Ujiri would surely find a new home for the future Hall of Famer and earn more draft assets to build a winning team around Flagg.

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The Dallas Cowboys recently concluded a controversial 2026 NFL Draft class that included two first-round selections and seven overall selections. They were also dealing with some drama arising from George Pinkens’ contract situation.

While Pickens recently signed his franchise tag tender, ensuring a salary of $27.3 million for the 2026 season, there were several different scenarios in play. The Cowboys were reportedly unwilling to discuss a long-term contract extension, which meant the only outcome for Pickens was to either sign the one-year franchise tag, sit out the season, or be traded to a different team.

Still, would the Cowboys really trade a superstar for the second year in a row just because they couldn’t agree on contract value? A trade may be more realistic than many people expect.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Pickens recently considered a trade from the Cowboys and even evaluated what his potential options would be with another team. Nevertheless, after a brief period of Pickens assessing his trade and/or contract value market, his camp decided he would be better off signing the tag and remaining with the Cowboys for the upcoming campaign.

Chances are, Pickens will play the season on the franchise tag. Of course, if the Cowboys somehow fall flat early in the season, more drama could develop, leading to even more trade speculation.

Still, the best outcome for Pickens might be to forget about all this contract drama and hope he ends up as a Pro Bowl selection for the second consecutive season. At that point, the Cowboys or any other team will have no choice but to pay him top dollar.

RELATED: NFL executive on Dallas Cowboys draft pick: ‘He won’t have a long career’

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Now that the 2026 NFL Draft is over, the Dallas Cowboys can turn their attention to other areas. In their case, that might mean figuring out what to do with George Pickens. The team has placed the franchise tag on its other Pro Bowl wide receiver, but despite previous reports, the 25-year-old has not signed it yet.

That means anything could still happen, from the Cowboys pulling the $27.2 million franchise tag, re-signing him to a long-term contract, or possibly even a trade. If it were up to Pickens, he would prefer either a long-term contract or even a trade to Dallas rather than playing under the one-year franchise tag.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Pickens has now told the Cowboys that he either “wants a long-term contract, or he wants a trade.”

Schefter says Pickens’ agent also tried reaching out to other teams to gauge their trade interest in the star receiver, but “got nothing.” Meanwhile, the Cowboys remained “adamant” that they would not trade Pickens despite having no intention of signing him to a long-term deal this offseason.

It feels like the Micah Parsons situation is evolving again in Dallas. According to Schefter, Pickens is “more tradeable than Parsons” because the Cowboys are not ready to negotiate a long-term contract with the receiver yet.

Now that the NFL Draft is over, perhaps teams will reevaluate Pickens’ potential availability. Will someone come up with an offer too good to refuse?

RELATED: Nick Saban believes Dallas Cowboys overreached with first-round pick

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Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, many eyes were set on the Dallas Cowboys, who began the weekend with the 12th and 20th overall selections in the first round. Some thought the Cowboys might even move up the draft board to secure an elite talent in the top 10 selection.

The Cowboys eventually moved around, moving from 10 to 11 and still acquiring a top prospect in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The Cowboys also moved down with their second pick, trading up to the Philadelphia Eagles before selecting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick.

Overall, many were happy with what the Cowboys did, adding an impact safety that could control the secondary, and giving a pass-rush group a boost that was desperately needed. Still, not everyone thought the Cowboys made the right decision.

In particular, former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban called the Lawrence selection a “reach”. Still, that was a hot-mic moment they probably didn’t think could be heard on-air. But he was.

Later, when Saban was asked to provide his analysis while the cameras were on him, he strangely had a different opinion, calling Lawrence a “sleeper.”

“Actually, this guy was one of my sleepers for yesterday,” Saban said. “But he’s a good player… This guy is a good player. I thought he was a guy that was going to be overlooked in the draft, but obviously the Cowboys didn’t overlook him.”

“It’s a reach” 😬 pic.twitter.com/60zloMY8nq

– Awful Announcement (@awfulaannouncement) 24 April 2026

Lawrence was widely projected to be selected in the second round, although some analysts believed he had a chance to fall in the late first round. As we’ve seen, it just takes a team to fall in love with a prospect, and that’s clearly what happened with Lawrence in Dallas.

RELATED: 6 best 2026 NFL draft classes including the Bills and Browns

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Claiming the 12th and 20th overall picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys will emerge from Thursday as a better team. After allowing the most points in the NFL in 2025, many expect the Cowboys to turn their attention to defense with one or possibly both selections.

Of course, trading for a top prospect could change those plans. Still, given how well the Cowboys have drafted, they’d probably prefer to have two selections in the first round. The other interesting thing is that the Cowboys often target a player that some analysts believe is a reach, a surprise or even a shocking selection.

Recently, when Essential Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline was asked which teams and/or players could lead to a “shocking” selection in the first round of the draft, he didn’t hesitate to name the Cowboys.

As mentioned, the Cowboys have a recent history of making surprise picks in the first round. One could argue they’ve done this in each of the last four drafts, selecting Tyler Booker, Tyler Guyton, Mazzie Smith and Tyler Smith.

If they select someone like Johnson or Rodriguez, especially at age 20, both would qualify as surprise picks, as both players are viewed as more likely to come off the board on the first, if not the second, day of the NFL Draft.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys Draft Rumors: Trade Update + Key Prospect Watch

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The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of cap space ahead of next week’s 2026 NFL Draft. While the Cowboys have the 12th overall and 20th picks in the first round, they also have a lot of needs, especially on a defense that gave up the NFL’s most points a season ago.

Many draft analysts predict the Cowboys will double up on defensive prospects by focusing both of their first-round selections on that side of the ball. Others believe a trade could be in the works for one of the draft’s best defensive prospects.

If the Cowboys package their first-round selection together to acquire a top prospect, Dallas may have to get creative to address other needs on their roster. This may involve another trade involving a proven professional rather than more novices.

Recently, Albert Breuer’s Sports Illustrated There have been suggestions that the Cowboys are a team the Indianapolis Colts could look at as they look for a trade partner for cornerback Kenny Moore. The two sides recently agreed to seek a trade this offseason, and that process could yield results at some point during the upcoming three-day draft event.

Breyer believes Moore could be available for the equivalent of a third-day draft pick. If so, the Cowboys could get the former Pro Bowl cornerback at a fraction of the normal cost.

Cornerback is one of the positions commonly targeted by Cowboys mock drafts. Still, with this trade, Dallas may not feel as much urgency to address the position at the top of the draft and may feel more comfortable circling back to upgrade the secondary later in the selection process.

If Moore can indeed be a third-day draft selection, we would imagine he would generate a lot of interest. After all, teams, especially contenders, can never have too many capable cornerbacks.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys trying to get ahead of rival team in 2026 NFL Draft?

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A pair of reports are very good news for the Dallas Cowboys landing one of two NFL Draft prospects that is very much their cup of tea.

We’re just a few weeks away from this year’s draft, and there’s been a lot of speculation about what the Cowboys will do. Due to another losing season and a major trade before the trade deadline, they entered this month’s event with not one, but two selections in the top 20.

After back-to-back seven-win campaigns, getting a pair of elite prospects gives Dallas a chance to address two issues on the roster. However, having two first-rounders also gives them a pair of very good assets to move up and project a player to go in the top 10.

According to ESPN NFL expert Jordan Reed, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Miami edge rusher Ruben Benn Jr. are players the Cowboys brain trust believes are worth giving up multiple draft assets to move on and get. However, new discussion around the game is suggesting the team could land a trade without it.

Caleb Downs in a losing streak to the Dallas Cowboys at 12?

In a recent conversation with Blogging the Boys, ESPN draft expert Peter Schrager pointed out that, despite Downs being one of the best players in this year’s class and having a very high football IQ, the trend from past years shows that teams will always look to get stud cornerbacks, pass rushers and wide receivers to provide good defenses if they need them at those spots.

In 2022, Kyle Hamilton was projected to be selected in the top 10 and the Baltimore Ravens went 14th. Four years before that, Derwin James was projected to go in the top 10 and was taken 18th by the Los Angeles Chargers. And last year, Nick Emmanvori was expected to go in the first round and lost in the second round. That’s why Downs’ loss to the Cowboys at 12 seems very plausible.

Is Reuben Benn Jr. no longer ready to go into the top 10?

On Friday, fellow ESPN draft expert Field Yates made a bold prediction. Ben Jr. will drop out of the top 10. He told why. “There are some scouts who are skeptical of a team taking a super pick too early. Teams that could take a chance are the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals (8-10, respectively), but there’s a chance he’s still in the teens.”

So, despite all the talk about the Cowboys potentially trading up in Round 1 to get Downs or Ben Jr., there is a growing belief that a dream scenario could emerge this month where Dallas could get either in the early rounds and still have another pick.

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A new ESPN NFL mock draft shows a player who is often projected to be picked in the top five this month will fall to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12 overall.

After another seven win season, the Cowboys need to improve their selection in this month’s NFL Draft. Fortunately for Dallas, they will have a chance to add two top-20 players to the event after acquiring an additional first-round pick before this season’s trade deadline.

Along with their two selections in Round 1 – 12 and 20, respectively – the Cowboys have been linked to a variety of stud prospects, including Tennessee cornerback Jerrod McCoy and Washington receiver Denzel Boston. However, along with two first-rounders, they have also been linked to a top-five trade-up to land one of the best players in this year’s class.

However, they may not need to give up one of those selections in order to bring elite talent to the event. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Peter Scherzer released his new NFL mock draft, and at pick 12, he has the Cowboys getting Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs.

Caleb Downs stats: 68 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions

He wrote, “Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia told me on ‘The Schrager Hour’ that Downs will be the smartest player on whichever team drafts him and should be the face of the franchise.” “The Cowboys need that on defense, even if the safety isn’t given the same importance as a pass rusher or cornerback.

“Downs can team up with Jalen Thompson and Malik Hooker and help cut down the big plays that plagued Dallas last season. If he’s on the board, he’ll be a steal at No. 12.”

There has been much speculation that Downs could go fifth to the New York Giants. Additionally, many draft analysts view him as one of the most NFL-ready players in this year’s class due to his impressive versatility and high football IQ. The All-American and Jim Thorpe Award winner had 68 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions and a sack last season.

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The Dallas Cowboys, in existence since 1960, have had several franchise icons who have helped them win five Super Bowls in the process. Wearing a star on one’s helmet, let alone becoming a bona fide superstar, often immortalizes a player in the eyes of Cowboys fans.

This was certainly the case with Emmitt Smith, who is not the franchise’s all-time leader in rushing yards; He currently holds the record for most rushing yards in the NFL. While the Hall of Fame running back’s Cowboys career ended after 2002, now his son, EJ, is starting his NFL career.

What’s even more interesting is that the Cowboys recently hosted EJ, who is also a running back, for a workout with the team. Smith is from Texas A&M, where he was primarily a backup. Smith finished his college career with 207 rushing attempts for 969 yards and nine touchdowns. He is not viewed as a top prospect, and may not even be drafted.

“Awesome,” Schottenheimer said, via ESPN. “You know me, man, I’m family. I’m family all the way. And you watch his film and he was an unbelievable short distance runner, powerful. But, yeah, just watching him run, seeing him in person, the type of young man he is, it’s cool.”

Smith is not counted among the team’s official ‘top-30 prospects’ because he is a local prospect. Still, perhaps by getting the chance to meet the Cowboys’ coaches, including Brian Schottenheimer, Smith was able to make a strong impression on Dallas’ front office. This may increase his chances of being drafted or signed as an undrafted free agent. If nothing else, it’s a good story for Cowboys fans.

RELATED: NFL executive questions Dallas Cowboys offseason moves, roster building

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A new report on an upcoming meeting between the Dallas Cowboys and a top NFL Draft prospect looks to open the door to a trade in Round 1 of next month’s event.

After a disappointing 7-9-1 finish to the 2025 season, the Cowboys will look to further improve their roster in April’s draft. While last season was bad at times, a pro having a bad year is a premium pick next month, and Dallas would especially go 12th overall in Round 1. Additionally, they also have the 20th pick after being traded up last season.

Over the past few weeks, various mock drafts have linked him to LSU corner Mansur Delaney, Auburn edge Keldrick Faulk and Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. Strong prospect, but not the best of the best in the 2026 class from college football. However, it seems the team is looking to select a top-five level player in Round 1.

Are the Dallas Cowboys interested in trading for Sonny Styles?

During Thursday’s appearance up and adamsOhio State star linebacker Sonny Styles revealed the Cowboys are one of the teams he will be meeting with in the coming days.

Stiles was viewed as a potential top 10 selection earlier this year. However, his outstanding performance at the NFL Combine last month raised his stock significantly. Now, some mock drafts have him going as No. 2 to the New York Jets — a team Styles recently met with — and as No. 3 to the Arizona Cardinals.

It is always difficult to trade in one of those slots. However, due to having a weak quarterback class this year, both the Jets and Cardinals could be willing to acquire two first-rounders from the Cowboys and add two top 20 players to this year’s class. Since both teams need more roster help than Dallas does.

Styles is a fantastic athlete who could be a game-changer for Dallas in 2026 if they choose to move up and select him.

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The Dallas Cowboys wasted little time this offseason before placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, ensuring that the All-Pro wideout could not reach the open market. The focus now turns to how long he’ll stay in Dallas and whether or not he’ll stay this summer.

Regarding this situation, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote that he believed it was “likely” for Pickens to eventually sign a one-year franchise tender and play the 2026 NFL season as a contract year.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys make three Max Crosby trade offers

After being acquired by Dallas last offseason, Pickens enjoyed the best season of his career. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver earned second-team All-Pro honors after setting personal bests in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine). ^{He had five 100-yard games and scored a touchdown in eight different contests.}

Pickens, who turned 25 in early March, played in all 17 games and largely shrugged off concerns about his maturity and consistency. He proved he could produce both as a No. 1 receiver when CeeDee Lamb was sidelined and as a secondary target when his fellow All-Pro wideout was on the field.

Dallas will explore contract negotiations with him this summer, but it could prove complicated. The Jackson Smith-Njigba contract extension ($42.15 million average annual value) and Puka Nakua’s impending extension will push the prices of wide receivers even higher.

While Pickens will likely play on the $27.298 million franchise tag, which is fully guaranteed, there is also hope he could stick around during training camp and this saga could extend into August. He will almost certainly suit up for the Cowboys next season, but there remains a lot of doubt about his long-term future in Dallas.

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Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson has been on a roll, and his early impressions say a lot about the team and the atmosphere in Dallas. The relationship between Thompson and the Mavericks is already taking shape, driven by energy, momentum and fan support that never fades.

In an interview with AB Jones of DLLS Sports, Thompson gave candid and real feedback on what he has experienced so far. “Dallas is the best,” he said. “They’re very loyal. Not just to the Mavericks, but to every team.” That kind of praise carries weight. This coming from a player who has seen packed arenas and championship runs. Yet Dallas is still different.

Klay Thompson at fan support in Dallas, Texas.

“Dallas is the best. They’re very loyal. Not just to the Mavericks, but to every team.” pic.twitter.com/uaWLWmPrJ6

– Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) 19 March 2026

That loyalty shows up in real time. Mavericks fans are on everything. Noise is generated with every swing pass, every drive, every shot. When Thompson gets up for three runs, the field tilts. Then there is an explosion. This is the Mavericks’ best fan support, and it’s already becoming part of their rhythm.

The feeling of connectedness is also increasing. Not forcefully. There was no haste. Absolutely natural.

Mavericks find a perfect fit with Klay Thompson

It seems like this is more than a simple adjustment period. This feels like alignment. Thompson brings blankness, experience and the ability to make cool decisions. The Mavericks bring confidence, identity and a crowd that fuels the momentum.

The numbers support that role. In 60 games this season, Thompson is averaging 11.9 points in 21.9 minutes while shooting 38.0 percent from three. Efficiency still matters. Gravity still exists. Even when the box score looks paltry, the defense remains connected, allowing the Mavericks offense to continue to gain an advantage.

This is where its value is seen. Complex. steady. Game-shifting.

Undoubtedly, expectations will come. They always do this. But right now the foundation looks strong. The energy feels real. The Mavericks partnership is being formed with purpose, not coercion.

So as the season unfolds, a question arises. If this bond between Klay Thompson and Mavericks fans continues to grow, how much can Dallas hold on when it matters most?

The Dallas Cowboys knew they had to make a change after finishing with just a 7-9-1 record and missing the postseason in 2025. After giving up more points than any other team last season, one area they had to fix was scoring defense. The good news is that Dallas has made several upgrades so far.

The Cowboys have added defensive lineman Otito Ogbonia, outside linebacker Rashaan Gary, safety Jalen Thompson, running back PJ Lock and cornerback Kobe Durant. Nevertheless, they also traded Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers. Overall, the Cowboys feel like they have improved on defense overall, but that doesn’t mean they have accomplished all of their top goals.

according to athleticAlong with John Makota, the Cowboys also expressed interest in signing middle linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. Somehow, both of them ended up signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ need at middle linebacker has not yet been addressed elsewhere. Machota believes this could be an area that gets resolved early in the 2026 NFL Draft, where the Cowboys have two first-round picks.

While the Cowboys have the 12th and 20th overall picks in the first round, as Machota said, they could also turn to the trade market. With eight selections in the upcoming draft, the Cowboys have enough trade capital to execute a deal. They have already discussed a trade for a former Pro Bowl middle linebacker.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

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The Dallas Mavericks will face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and they will be without a handful of their players for the matchup. In the Mavericks’ latest game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Klay Thompson was ruled out due to rest, and that meant he played more minutes than usual in the game before facing the Atlanta Hawks.

On the second night of a back-to-back, the Mavericks would rule out Daniel Gafford due to rest after he finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds against the Grizzlies. PJ Washington is listed as questionable with a sore left ankle, and Najee Marshall is listed as questionable with a sore left foot.

Of course, other players on the list have been out most of the season due to injuries, such as Kyrie Irving and Derek Lively II.

The league has never been afraid to look at why teams aren’t playing specific players, but the Mavericks have a good argument if they do. This is back-to-back, and they actually won the game against the Grizzlies, so it doesn’t seem like they’re obviously trying to lose the game.

It has been a tough season overall for the Mavericks health-wise, as most of their key players have been in and out of the lineup. Irving did not fit in at all as he recovered from an ACL injury suffered last season. When Anthony Davis was still on the team, he only played 20 games due to injuries, and he has yet to play for the Washington Wizards.

Before the All-Star break, Cooper Flagg suffered a foot injury that caused him to miss a few games, but he has been able to return and play in the last few games.

It may be disappointing for Mavericks fans to wonder what this team would look like if everyone were available at the same time.

The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers are two of the NFL’s most famous franchises. After all, they are two of four NFL franchises with four or more Super Bowl wins. Yet, playing in different conferences, we rarely see them clash with each other.

Now that it’s the offseason, both teams can do some business business.

according to Fort Worth Star-TelegramNick Harris, several teams have called the Steelers about trading for linebacker Patrick Queen. Harris says the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are two teams that have called up the two-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker.

Harris says the Cowboys entered free agency with several MLB targets in mind, but their board was “pretty much wiped out” on the first day of negotiations. This led them to turn their attention elsewhere, possibly toward a trade for Queens, whom the Steelers are reportedly hanging on to for a mid-round draft pick.

The Cowboys look to continue upgrading their defense after allowing the NFL’s most points in 2025. They have traded for pass-rusher Rashaan Gary and signed safety Jalen Thompson, but Dallas still needs another middle linebacker with Kenneth Murray set for free agency.

Rani could be a good fit. The 26-year-old player has never missed a game in his six-year career. He has recorded 100 or more tackles in five of his six seasons of play, including last year. Queen would definitely help set the tone in Dallas, if they could get her out of Pittsburgh.

RELATED: NFL Free Agency Day 1: The biggest winners and losers

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After years of trade rumors, Max Crosby was finally dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for two first-round picks. Reports leading up to the Ravens’ blockbuster trade for the five-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher revealed that the Raiders were waiting for an offer that included two first-round picks targeting a ‘Micah Parsons’ deal. Many people were skeptical.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys were confident they would win the Crosby trade sweepstakes. He even thought his deal for Crosby was almost done. However, when other teams stepped up with offers of two first-round selections, the Cowboys’ confidence diminished.

So, what did the Cowboys offer the Raiders in exchange for Crosby?

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys offered their first-round pick (No. 12 overall – two slots ahead of Baltimore’s offer), a future second-round pick (possibly in 2027), as well as an undisclosed veteran player for Crosby. The Cowboys were unwilling to part with two first-round picks.

Apparently, the Raiders declined, believing they received a better offer from Baltimore. Unless the veteran player was an impact starter, we’d argue that Las Vegas actually accepted a better offer from the Ravens.

The Cowboys, despite reportedly “keeping an eye on Crosby for a long time” and “loving” him, determined that he was not worth trading for two first-round picks. The Ravens felt otherwise.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 projections ahead of NFL free agency

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Jerry Jones has never been afraid to make a big deal. The Dallas Cowboys have proven this time and again. Whether it’s a record-setting contract extension or trading their best player a week before the season starts, the Cowboys aren’t afraid to be bold.

Nevertheless, the Cowboys are still looking to replace the pass-rushing production that Micah Parsons was known for. That could change this offseason. Obviously, the Cowboys have already tried.

According to ESPN’s Trey Wingo, the Cowboys “thought” they completed a trade for Maxx Crosby last night. Nevertheless, the Las Vegas Raiders backed out after receiving several other offers, including a first-round pick, for the five-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher.

Wingo reports that the Cowboys now plan to sign Trey Hendrickson in free agency, where he won’t have to part with any draft compensation.

If Wingo’s report is accurate, it means the Raiders are indeed not only willing to trade Crosby, but they may also be close to making a deal. Previous reports indicated that a Crosby trade could be conducted as soon as “this week.”

While the Cowboys appear to be trading out Crosby, other teams are apparently willing to break the bank for the 28-year-old sack artist. The Raiders have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they will likely gain another first-round selection because of the Crosby trade. Perhaps that selection could be an attempt to replace Crosby.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys may reportedly trade All-Pro player after career year

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The Dallas Cowboys are in for another expensive offseason. They are already locked in contract negotiations with a star who wants the highest salary at his position. There may also be a deadlock over the contract of another superstar coming after a year of his career.

The Cowboys have already placed the franchise tag on second-team All-Pro wide receiver George Pickens. The tag for receivers pays Pickens $27 million, well below the market rate of $40 million for superstar receivers. Pickens ranks third in the NFL with 1,429 receiving yards this season, and he will still be only 25 when the 2026 season starts.

Players generally want to avoid the franchise tag, and the same may be the case with Pickens. After all, a long-term contract at a higher rate will provide greater long-term financial security than a one-year deal below market value.

However, placing the franchise tag may not be the last we hear from the Cowboys regarding Pickens’ status this offseason.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Cowboys could also trade Pickens now that they have franchise-tagged him.

The Packers used this mentality to tag and trade Davante Adams to the Raiders in 2022. However, the Cowboys have shown no signs of Pickens being available this offseason. Sure, it’s a great way to create leverage, but Pickens appears destined to remain in Dallas until at least 2026.

Perhaps the Cowboys can dispel these silly rumors by getting their new superstar receiver under contract for just over the 2026 season, where he and CeeDee Lamb will form one of the NFL’s best receiver tandems for years to come.

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Khris Middleton is staying put. Despite a flurry of rumors and the impending buyout deadline, the veteran forward intends to finish the season with the Dallas Mavericks.

The 34-year-old had a chance to move to a contender before Sunday’s deadline to be eligible for the playoffs with a new team. The Denver Nuggets were reportedly leading the field of interested suitors, but Middleton has decided to stick it out in North Texas. Sources indicate he has settled in quickly since arriving in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade earlier this season.

It’s been a rough ride for Dallas lately. The Mavericks are currently 21-38, far from the playoff picture in the loaded Western Conference. The team is coming off a disappointing 124-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last Friday, where the offense struggled to find any consistent rhythm.

Middleton has been a steadfast force amid the chaos. In the team’s recent 130-121 loss to the Sacramento Kings, the former Milwaukee Bucks All-Star put up 17 points and five rebounds in 33 minutes. He also showed glimpses of his championship pedigree during February. 22nd win over the Indiana Pacers, scoring 25 points on efficient 11-of-15 shooting.

Retaining Middleton is an important move for a Mavericks front office looking to retain some veteran leadership around rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. While the postseason is likely out of reach this year, Middleton’s presence provides a professional blueprint for a young roster that is still searching for its identity.

The Mavericks return to action on Sunday to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center. This will be a huge test for a Dallas team that wants to overcome a two-game slump and prove they can compete with the elite of the West.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Dallas Mavericks struck gold this season when they selected undrafted point guard Ryan Nembhard on a two-way contract and officially signed him to a standard deal after the team waived veteran Tyus Jones.

The signing of Ryan Nembhard brings the Mavericks’ current roster to 15 standard contracts. It was originally thought that Tyus Jones would finish the season with the Mavericks, but according to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, he reportedly approached the team asking for a release so he can join a playoff contender.

Weaving Jones may not be the last roster mover the Mavericks make this weekend. According to Siegel, the Mavericks are also awaiting Khris Middleton’s decision, with the waiver deadline for players being on Sunday to be eligible to play in the playoffs. Middleton was acquired at the trade deadline, and there will be plenty of playoff teams interested in his services if he hits the buyout market.

In Nembhard, the Mavericks have a young guard who could be a part of the team’s future. He was limited under his two-way contract in the number of NBA games for which he could be active, and his days of eligibility were almost over.

He has appeared in 38 games this season, including 17 starts, averaging just over 18 minutes per game. He averaged 6.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists with splits of 42.9 percent shooting from the field, 37.9 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 76.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The Mavericks are currently 21-38 and in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. With each passing day, the chances of a run in the play-ins are becoming less likely.

On Friday, Cooper Flagg was ejected from the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Memphis Grizzlies. He is out due to a sprain in his leg.

According to Noah Weber of The Smoking Cuban, although he is not in uniform, Flagg is active in a different way.

Head coach Jason Kidd explained how much Flagg has stepped up from the sideline, too.

“His voice. You can see him out there cheering … he’s all about his teammates, he’s trying to help this team win, even if he’s not in the uniform. He’s very consistent about that.”

Jason Kidd explained how Cooper Flagg has contributed to team morale despite being out:

“His voice. You can see him out there cheering … he’s all about his teammates, he’s trying to help this team win, even if he’s not in the uniform. He’s very consistent about that.” pic.twitter.com/KAiiDd4ppu

– Noah Weber (@noahweber00) 28 February 2026

The Mavericks lost to the Grizzlies 124-105 on Friday. They will then play against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. They are at 21-38.

Flagg is averaging 20.4 points and 6.5 rebounds over the course of 49 games. Meanwhile, he is out of the last six matches.

Currently, Flagg is in the midst of a tough battle with Charlotte Hornets’ Kon Knueppel for NBA Rookie of the Year.

During the season, Flagg has earned several accolades during his rookie year. He has won multiple Rookie of the Month honors. Additionally, Flagg scored a career-high 49 points on January 29 against the Hornets. In the process, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40+ points in a game at the age of 18.

Additionally, Flagg became the youngest player to achieve consecutive 30-point double-doubles in early February.

Additionally, he also participated in the NBA Rising Stars Game during the NBA All-Star Weekend.

The Dallas Mavericks and veteran point guard Tyus Jones have decided to part ways by mutual consent and will be waived, league sources tell ClutchPoints.

Jones, 29, was acquired by the Mavericks at the trade deadline in a short deal with the Charlotte Hornets, who were looking to trade the 11-year-old guard for cap reasons. Last offseason, the Mavs showed strong interest in acquiring Jones via free agency, but other teams such as the Orlando Magic, with whom Jones began this season, could offer him more than Dallas.

Although it seemed likely he would finish the 2025–26 season with the Mavericks before entering unrestricted free agency in the summer, sources said Jones first contacted the Mavs to express his interest in a potential buyout to join the playoff-contending organization.

The Mavericks, who are looking for a way to replace two-way guard Ryan Nembhard, now have an obvious reason to do so.

Jones’ decision to enter the NBA buyout market was first reported by Marc Stein.

After waiving Jones and potentially trading Nembhard to a two-way contract in a matter of days, the Mavericks are also awaiting a concrete answer from veteran wing Khris Middleton on what he wants to do regarding a potential buyout.

Middleton was traded to the Mavs in a nine-player deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. Initially, Middleton was viewed by many around the league as a potential buyout candidate, but he reported to the team and Dallas showed no interest in immediately waiving him.

Over the past week, Middleton has been wondering about his future, and the possibility of leaving the Mavericks to join the playoff threat remains. He has until Sunday to decide whether he will approach the team for a buyout or not, as they will not forgive him unless he wants a change of scenario.

The Mavericks are 21-38 this season, the seventh-worst record in the NBA.

Like last offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have some decisions to make on some of their star players. George Pickens is coming off a career year in which he earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. But now he is ready for free agency, and the Cowboys intend to assign him the franchise tag.

Meanwhile, another Cowboys star, All-Pro kicker Brandon Oubre, is also set for free agency, and the team is having difficulty agreeing on his contract value.

according to dallas morning news‘Calvin Watkins, the Cowboys have already made Oubre a strong contract offer, which would make him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history. The Cowboys have reportedly offered Oubre a contract worth approximately $7.5 million in annual salary. The NFL’s highest-paid kicker, Harrison Butker, is making approximately $6.4 million per season.

Meanwhile, Oubre reportedly wants a salary of $10 million after earning Pro Bowl honors in all three of his seasons with the team. However, the Cowboys likely knew that a contract standoff with their kicker was coming.

The two sides have apparently been negotiating an extension since before the 2025 season began. Nevertheless, Oubre responded with another strong season, making 10 50+ yard field goals for the third time in his career, and earning second-team All-Pro honors in the process.

Some would argue that Oubre is the best kicker in the NFL. If not the best, it’s very close. Thus, if the Cowboys are unwilling to pay Oubre what they feel he is worth, it is possible that his time in Dallas is limited.

For now, Oubre is a restricted free agent, which gives the Cowboys a chance to match any offer that comes his way. Still, if a long-term deal is not reached, Oubre could hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent next season. With another excellent season, the Cowboys may have to see their star player’s value rise before sitting down to the negotiating table again.

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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Marvin Bagley’s idea came up in the discourse surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ trade return for Anthony Davis. However, the former No. 2 pick has impressed the Mavericks during his first game since the blockbuster deal.

Bagley had his most efficient performance of the season during Tuesday’s 123-124 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The 6-foot-10 big man posted a team-high 22 points and five rebounds on 10 of 13 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench.

Jason Kidd said of Bagley’s performance, “He’s a really good player.” Talking to him revealed that he has grown up and understands the NBA game a little. Sometimes it takes time. We all want it to happen overnight. But I think the coaching staff, the media, everybody that’s been on this road trip with him has made him comfortable, and you can see how he’s playing. If it’s not in the post, it’s an offensive rebound, and then playing defense for us. So everyone’s confidence is high, and he’s brand new, and it just shows how talented he is.”

Bagley has not been able to find a home in the NBA since being selected No. 2 by the Sacramento Kings in 2018, ahead of Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young.

Mavericks’ Bagley makes headlines during first game with Mavs after Anthony Davis trade

The former Duke star changed teams six times during his eight-year NBA career. After spending his first three seasons with the Kings, he saw stints with the Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards before landing in Dallas at this year’s trade deadline.

While Bagley has had a disappointing career, he is making the most of his new opportunity with the rebuilding Mavericks. With Derek Lively sidelined, the 26-year-old is averaging 13.0 points and 8.2 rebounds on 64.3 percent shooting in five appearances with the team.

“Just keep building,” Bagley said of his mindset after Tuesday’s win. “It’s just continuing to learn each other, at least for me and the new guys. Just continuing to gel with the guys that are here, learning the system, and just doing my best every day and giving it my all. That’s my mentality, and it seems like everyone else here has the same mentality. I love being a part of it, and I’m glad I have teammates like that.”

Bagley’s minimum contract is expiring and he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Last year, just before the season started, the Dallas Cowboys surprised everyone by selling the face of their franchise, Micah Parsons. The Cowboys received Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks in the Parsons trade. Now they may be ready to trade one of their top assets again this offseason.

Recently, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones revealed that the team is “open-minded” to trading one of its two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“It’s hard to project, but we’re definitely open-minded,” Jones said. “If the right guy fits, if he’s a perfect fit, we’ll definitely look at it.”

The Cowboys have the 12th and 20th picks in the first round, the latter of which stems from the Parsons trade with the Packers. Dallas acquired two star defensive tackles last season, and now they are switching to a multiple defense with a 3-4 base scheme.

It’s possible they’ll use some of their draft compensation and cap space to acquire another proven edge rusher to help offset the loss of Parsons. Either way, with Pro Bowl receiver George Pickens set for free agency, the Cowboys will have some big decisions this offseason, and trading a first-round pick could certainly be part of the equation.

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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ