The Dallas Mavericks have made at least one midseason trade every year since 2017. Their scale and results vary. Some were insignificant (Doug McDermott in 2018, JJ Redick in 2021). Some didn't work (Nerlens Noel in 2017). Some were completed weeks before the deadline (Willie Cauley-Stein in 2020). But under Nico Harrison, who took over the team's front office in 2021, Dallas made roster-changing trades near the deadline both times he took over. The Mavericks acquired Kristaps Porzisis in a trade in 2022 and Kyrie Irving last year.
Although small, that track record is the biggest reason to doubt Dallas will make another trade before Thursday's 3pm ET deadline. Harrison didn't hesitate to make a trade, even if the team presented an imperfect performance on the court. In the end, Porzigis was partially traded because he did not appear on the court in 2021-22. Dallas has already started 28 different starting lineups this season as key players have been sidelined with various injuries. But even if it's hard to know the team's ceiling given the ad hoc nature of the past two months, it's definitely in the category of title contenders.
The Mavericks' front office has been active as the deadline approaches, and the teams are most interested in four tall players, ideally with two-way ability and solid spot-up shooting. Yes, multiple league sources said. The Athletic. The roster could also use a more defensive-minded backup center. But while each of these archetypes could improve Dallas' roster this season, only two players, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, could significantly increase the team's ceiling. It has already been disposed of. While you can reasonably disagree with that statement, there's no question that these two were the NBA's most coveted wings as this season's trade market developed.
Dallas doesn't know exactly how the market will shake out this summer or next season, so it's important to know not only who will be available, but also the value of Dallas' young players to other teams in the league. It is also important to speculate about whether the situation will change in the future. Any current trade proposals discussed by the front office. Is it better to acquire talent now if possible, or bet on the team's potential offer to acquire three first-round picks after this summer and get a better deal in the near future? Would it be better to put him on the spot? (Assuming the team's 2024 first-round pick ends up going to New York, Dallas could offer 2025, 2027, and 2031 first-round picks in a post-draft trade this summer. can).
The Mavericks also need to exercise their soon-to-be flexibility with other bidders around the league. Some teams, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz, could dig deeper into the treasure chest and pursue a bona fide 1A star. Dallas' two major acquisitions, Porzisis and Irving, both came with availability asterisks and immediate paychecks. The scenario seems to be repeating itself, with Dallas most likely acquiring a star-caliber talent within the next 12 months. These are people whose talents are tied to less desirable things: contractual, health, and overall health.
Dallas fits that typical target. Four tall players who can contribute on defense and inside shooting are the most needed players on this roster. Despite a successful second-half comeback, Dallas lacks the ideal defenders in this league for big wings such as Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, which led to Dallas losing ground in the matchup zone against the Orlando Magic earlier this week. I was forced to play. For teams with serious ambitions, the presence of such people becomes increasingly necessary.
Along with Luka Doncic and Irving, a pair the team has committed to for the short-term future, Dallas considers rookie center Derek Lively II untouchable. Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr. could be similar due to their affordable contracts and how seamlessly each fits on the court. (The fact that the Mavericks have a second-year team option on Exum also adds to his value.) Everyone else on the roster could reasonably be considered available on suitable contracts. I can do it.
That is the basis of these discussions. Let's try some fake trades.
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2024 NBA Trade Board 2.0: Top 40 names currently on the market
Dallas Receives: Kyle Kuzma
Washington wins: Grant Williams, Richaun Holmes, Jaden Hardy, 2027 Dallas No. 1
Kyle Kuzma is one of the best rotation players in Dallas. He ticks a lot of boxes. Reduction in contract size. I needed some off-the-dribble juice. He's an above-average defender in situations that require effort. A tall guy who can rebound and grow. His path to success in this league runs through 6'9 forwards like him.
I don't know if he's worthy of being the team's coveted first-round pick. Kuzma is a good starting pitcher, but he's not a game-changer.The Mavericks need more players like him. In addition Adding a player who can be the third best player on the team. Kuzma's 13 points per game in the Los Angeles Lakers' 2019-20 championship run is probably a better indicator of his suitability for a contending team than his 22 points per game with the lowly Wizards. .
Could Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, and the necessary second-round draft capital be a potential framework? Especially if Daniel Gafford comes along? (The Wizards are said to want two for Kuzma, so it's unlikely they won't have a first-round pick.) Replacing Hardaway is more difficult than most fans think, I think. For the record, a player like Kuzma, a 6-foot-9 jack-of-all-trades who takes a lot of spot-up 3s, is the type of player to target, even if his conversion rate is worse than Hardaway.
It's no consolation to part ways with Coach Doncic's two most reliable spot-up shooters, but Kuzma is the type of valuable addition this team could be as a contender if you believe in a rebounding defense. He is a player. But he's probably too good, but not great, to warrant a first-round pick.
What Dallas Receives: Daniel Gafford
Washington will receive: Richaun Holmes, 2025 Dallas 2nd round, via Toronto, 2028 Dallas 2nd round, via Miami
You may be approached about this trading idea From @GarrenLephan But for me, both Daniel Gafford and Nick Richards who played Charlotte — @627zach also submitted a similar idea I have two questions regarding him. First, do these contracts make sense for the team's future, or do they just stabilize this season? And second, how confident are we that Maxi Kleber, who just played his best game in just about two seasons, can be a solid rotation player next to a non-shooting center?
Dallas has been playing better on the court with Lively, which speaks to the need for another big presence behind him. But given the Doncic-led offense, the Mavericks will only be interested in acquiring a backup center (perhaps a player worse than the teenager the team considers current and future at the position) if they can acquire a new rotation player. He should consider giving up draft capital. That's Kleber, and even when he's at his best, he imitates taller wings than a big man.
If Gafford believes he can do that, and believes he's building a team around a big man who doesn't shoot for 48 minutes every game, then sure.
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Wizards trade deadline information: What we're hearing about potential moves
What Dallas Receives: Andrew Wiggins, Golden State's 2026 first-rounder
Golden State will receive: Grant Williams, Richaun Holmes
If Wiggins can be the player he was two years ago, that's exactly what Dallas needs, and exactly what they want Kuzma to be. However, I don't believe that Wiggins will recover from its decline, and even if the price is lowered, it won't be enough to make a dent. There's also no chance Golden State will make this trade. Williams and Holmes aren't the surefire rotation players they want. sorry, @navek321But I don't think this will work.
Dallas Receives: Tyler Herro, PJ Washington, Caleb Martin, 2029 Miami #1
Miami acquires: Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris
Charlotte receives: Grant Williams, Nikola Jovic, Jaden Hardy.
This business, From @HoopSocialDraft, a fun impossible. Dallas did not trade Irving. The team is fully committed to the star back court with him and Doncic. But as a thought exercise, let's talk about it briefly.
Adding this trio would improve some of Dallas' key weaknesses, while making Tim Hardaway Jr. expendable on another contract. But it reminds me of a fantasy football mode called Best Ball. The best player at each position is automatically selected, not the starting lineup or the bench. Rather than following common tried-and-true rules, you can prioritize better boom-or-bust performers and profit when they grow rapidly. Play stud.
If the NBA worked this way, you would sub in your best 3-point shooter if you knew your opponent would protect the pick-and-roll from corner kicks. To be honest, in hindsight I should have had such knowledge. But the NBA's goal is to cram as much talent onto the court as possible within a five-man lineup. And whether you like building around Irving or not, he definitely has more talent at his position than most players in the league, not just in shot-making, but as a connector and spot-up shooter. Offers.
So this deal doesn't make sense to me. Herro could replicate some portion of what Irving is doing, and the other two players would add some necessary skills that Dallas needs, but that hasn't been fully replicated. will be the difference between a championship contender and a playoff pest.
And PJ Washington, who I haven't mentioned yet despite being a well-known name within the fake Mavericks trade, is also on the Kuzma spectrum. I don't know if he's adapted to the Doncic ball as well as his raw numbers would suggest. That's certainly saying something when a rebuilding team like Charlotte doesn't see him as a building block for the future.
What Dallas Receives: Jerami Grant
What Portland will receive: Grant Williams, Richaun Holmes, 2026 Dallas No. 1
This guy came From Michael Way, but that doesn't make sense. I have nothing but respect for Grant. In 2020, he prioritized money and a bigger role with the Detroit Pistons over his previous career as a role player for the Denver Nuggets' serious postseason team. Know what you want and make it happen.
But even if Grant was willing to go back to being a third option, with all of the dirty role-player work needed to fit into the Mavericks' hierarchy, acquiring him would be a big deal for the team. It will feel like they're trying to get a player like Siakam. Talented, but not very ideal. Either way, Grant seems unlikely to be traded, but I don't think he's someone Dallas should be interested in.
Dallas Receives: Devin Booker
Phoenix acquires Kyrie Irving
you know what? @RyanGobasco4177, This idea proves that you are the type of sick person that I can get along with. As Ryan explained, “This settles the battle between Kyrie fans vs. Luka fans, Kevin Durant fans vs. Devin Booker fans. May there be peace.” Just in the context of basketball. That also makes sense.
It's a shame we don't live in a world where something like this can happen.
(Top photo of Kyle Kuzma protecting Luka Doncic: Stephen Gosling / NBAE via Getty Images)
