The Mavericks are seldom buyers when it comes to the trade deadline. They were silent at this time last year and there is a chance that they stay quiet this year. But rumors have been swirling in Dallas recently. Per multiple sources, it seems like the Mavs may be in the market for some sort of upgrade. Despite the team’s recent success, it is no secret that Dallas could use some more reliable pieces. The team has been inconsistent behind superstar Luka Doncic, and great teams need consistency. As it stands now, the Mavericks are the eighth seed in the West and are looking at a play-in game. Dallas’ recent success tells us that they probably will not stay in the eighth spot and that they will eventually move up. Not many people see them as a legitimate threat to contend in the Western Conference but rather as a sneaky dangerous team that could cause the contenders some trouble. A trade deadline move is not going to change that. Dallas does not have the assets to make a gigantic splash, but some of their rumored targets could make them even more dangerous.
Andre Drummond
Nothing divides Mavs Twitter more than the Andre Drummond discussion. Some think that he could fix some of Dallas’ main problems such as rebounding and rim-running, but others are worried about how he would ruin the spacing for Doncic. Both are fair points but according to many reports, it seems like the Mavs front office is interested. Per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, Dallas has explored a trade with the Cavaliers for the big man. Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Dallas’ most likely path to acquiring Drummond is through a buy-out. A buy-out would be great but I do not see him choosing Dallas over either of the LA teams. At the right price, I think trading for Drummond would be a win for the Mavs.
John Collins
The Atlanta big man is high on the list of many teams, but Dallas seems to be one of the more aggressive teams in trying to trade for him. The Mavericks reportedly offered Maxi Kleber in a trade recently, but so far the Hawks have not been blown away by any offer. Trading Kleber would be sad. He has become one of the best shooters in the league and he also provides strong defense on the other end. But John Collins is 23 years old and averaged 20+ PPG last season. He has a higher ceiling than Kleber has and is clearly an upgrade offensively. Defense is another story but he has the size to figure it out someday. The Mavericks have him on top of their free-agent list as well as he will enter restricted free agency this summer. Atlanta has been hot recently so I would be shocked if they dealt him.
Orlando Magic
The Magic has two players that Dallas is interested in; Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon. Aaron Gordon officially asked to be traded on Monday and according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, Dallas is a place Gordon would like to play. Gordon is averaging 15 PPG and is shooting 40% from three this year. On March 19 against Brooklyn, he scored 38 points and shot 7-8 from three.
According to Fischer, the Mavs have been the “loudest” team in pursuit of Evan Fournier. Fournier is averaging 19 PPG on 38% shooting from three. A potential package for Fournier is James Johnson and two seconds which is a deal I would make in a heartbeat. This trade feels like it is the most realistic one. Dallas could use another scorer like Fournier.
Some other rumors include Norman Powell and Kyle Lowry and either of those guys would improve the team. However, it feels like Lowry may be headed to Miami if he is in fact dealt. Powell would be an awesome addition for Dallas and Fischer reported that there is interest.
Like I mentioned before, this Mavericks team has looked good recently. There is no urgency to make moves, but the Mavs do have a couple of trade friendly expiring contracts. I expect them to make some sort of move even if it is not for one of the guys mentioned above.
