The Mavericks did something they’ve rarely done since drafting Luka. They made a savvy, non-flashy intermediate move with three different positive effects for Dallas.

They cleaned up their salary by getting off of Davis Bertans’ pseudo-expiring contract this year at 16 M.

They also acquired a sizable trade exception that can either bring in more help, or, worse case scenario, be used to take on a bad contract for more picks. (Preferably from Brooklyn).

Also, by picking Lively at 12 instead of 10, they got him on a sllghtly cheaper rookie contract. (0.5 M this year).

It’s the kind of intermediate move that often goes unnoticed, but can be just as important. “Sudden” turnarounds are more often than not built on these moves when they all finally start paying dividends.