Something’s brewing in Dallas. And nope, it’s not just the heartbreak from another postseason letdown, or Luka Dončić’s on-court wizardry. This time, the storm clouds are gathering over the Mavericks’ front office. There’s tension. Urgency. And above all, a sense that something big really big is on the way. Why? Because the man they leaned on, Kyrie Irving, might not be ready to go when the new season tips off.

The clock is ticking. And Dallas ain’t got time to waste. Playoff windows don’t stay open forever, not even with Luka doing Luka things. Kyrie’s torn ACL in March changed everything. With his return date still a question mark, the Mavericks are scouting hard for someone to keep the ship steady until the star guard is back. And from the names being whispered… let’s just say, some of them pack serious weight. Think nine-figure contracts. Think championship pedigree. Think well, one name that might just catch you off guard.

According to NBA Central via @TheDunkCentral, the Mavericks are seriously exploring their options! And three names have emerged: Jrue Holiday, Chris Paul, and yes, Lonzo Ball. Yep, that Lonzo Ball. The former Lakers guard who’s been fighting to get his groove back after knee issues nearly derailed his career. NBA insider Marc Stein dropped this nugget, saying, Dallas is expected to at least explore whether there are any feasible trade pathways to Boston’s Jrue Holiday… while also maintaining an interest in a far more reasonable trade target: Lonzo Ball.

And suddenly, this ain’t just a typical trade rumor anymore, it’s a legit contingency plan in motion. While Jrue’s $104 million contract makes things messy, Lonzo becomes the more realistic option. And with Kyrie sidelined, Dallas needs a floor general who can steer the ship.

Now, let’s be real. Lonzo’s not walking through that door as a guaranteed All-Star. But here’s the thing: He might not have to be. Before his injuries, Lonzo was the ultimate glue guy. Vision, pace, defense, and a sneaky-good three-point stroke. And when he returned this past season after nearly two full years away!

The dude showed signs. Sure, he only played 35 games and finished the year nursing a wrist sprain, but that knee? It held up. That alone turned heads. He averaged 7.6 points, 3.5 boards, and 3.4 assists in limited minutes. Not flashy, but solid. And considering he’s on a very team-friendly $10 million deal for next season, it’s not hard to see why the Mavs are eyeing him. Especially when the alternative is ponying up major assets for Jrue Holiday.

Still, this isn’t just about stats. It’s about the fit. And Lonzo might quietly be a dream partner for Luka. He defends, doesn’t need the ball to thrive, and can orchestrate when needed. With Luka as the offensive engine, Ball could slide into that secondary creator role with ease. Not to mention he’s got playoff hunger. And after two injury-filled years, you best believe he’s itching to prove something. Add that to the fact Dallas just landed the No. 1 pick (hello, Cooper Flagg?), and they suddenly have a chance to build a scary, versatile core without blowing the budget.

But before we dive into the emotional rebound of Lonzo Ball, there’s one moment that recently stopped the former Lakers star right in his tracks. And weirdly enough, it had nothing to do with basketball.

Lonzo Ball’s podcast surprise: The duck incident

Sometimes, it’s the smallest stories that hit the hardest. For Lonzo Ball, what was supposed to be a fun guest appearance on Sydel Curry-Lee’s podcast turned… real grim, real fast. The light-hearted vibes of Straight to Cam took a dark turn when Sydel dropped a confession that left Lonzo, and honestly everyone else stunned.

“Okay, so my confession this week is that someone killed our pet duck, Dougie… the body was on one side, and the head was on the other,” Sydel said, fighting through the memory. Their adopted stray duck had become part of the family, waddling through the Curry household, chilling in their pool, and bonding with Sydel’s daughter Daryn. But now? Just gone. No warning. No closure.

Lonzo’s reaction? Classic Zo. Caught off guard, a little awkward, and kinda funny if you like dark humor. “What kind of show is this?” he asked, clearly trying to wrap his head around the story. “Man, this just changed the whole day. At least all ducks kind of look alike, so if another one comes around, you can just name it Ducky.”

Some folks might’ve called that insensitive, but if you’ve followed Lonzo’s journey, you know that’s just him. Honest, dry, and not exactly the emotional type. Even after his own long road back to the NBA, Lonzo never got overly sentimental. His response to hearing his name called again after nearly two years?

“It was cool.” That’s just Zo. No fluff. No dramatics. Just basketball and moving on.

Still, deep down, the guy’s an optimist. Toward the end of the episode, he even joked, “A lot of pools I have, ducks be in them, I think Ducky Jr. going to be back this week, Friday.” You could hear the crew cracking up. A little humor. A little resilience. And a whole lotta heart.