The Dallas Mavericks were busy leading up to this year's trade deadline, which made sense since they were ranked eighth in the Western Conference at the time. They were linked to some big names, eventually landing PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford.
Although the team had to part with a large amount of assets to complete the deal, it turned out to be worth every penny. The frontcourt combination has proven to be just what the doctor ordered, and their addition and rise has helped strengthen the Mavs' strengths of defense, rebounding and physicality as they prepare for the 2024 playoffs.
Considering Dallas moved up the standings to become the No. 5 seed in the West, this franchise will be one of the clear winners at the 2024 trade deadline.
But imagine if the Mavs were successful in acquiring Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, who they were reportedly interested in earlier in the season.
The potential addition of a former All-Star was once an interesting proposition. After all, Wiggins played a key role in the Warriors' championship run in 2021-22.
Some considered him to be Golden State's second-best player in the 2022 NBA Finals, as he averaged 18.3 points in the series, led the Warriors in rebounds, and grabbed 8.8 boards per game. Additionally, his defense helped hold the Boston Celtics' star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to 39.8 percent from the field.
Wiggins' two-way skills could probably come in handy for Dallas in the first round against the LA Clippers. However, the swingman had a largely disappointing 2023-24 season, with his performance well below the standards he has set for himself in the past.
Additionally, Wiggins had to take time off in the middle of the regular season for the second year in a row due to personal circumstances. He likely had a valid reason to leave the Warriors, but it may have affected the team's chemistry, and the Mavs, who were pursuing a higher seed in the West, didn't have it. was not allowed.
The Canadian forward had a chance to redeem himself in the play-in tournament. However, he wasn't a factor in Golden State's loss to the Sacramento Kings, scoring just 12 points and posting a game-worst plus/minus of -25 points. As a result, he and the Warriors were eliminated from playoff contention sooner than expected.
As for Dallas, he clearly dodged a Wiggins-sized bullet. The front office has a knack for avoiding such disasters, having made a huge splash last offseason by not trading Deandre Ayton, another high-paid former No. 1 pick. It seems so.
Read more about the Dallas Mavericks and their playoff journey this season.
