NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Players the Dallas Mavericks Should Get for the Stretch Run
The Dallas Mavericks looked like one of the best teams in the league for most of the first half of the season.ย They had every piece in place for a championship run.ย Then everything changed.
In a span of two quarters, the Dallas lost their first and third leading scorer in Dirk Nowitzki and Caron Butler.ย Although Nowitzkiโs injury was not season ending like Butlerโs, he still missed a career high nine games in which the Mavericks went 2-7.ย Since his return, they are still a disappointing 2-3.
For the rest of the second half of the season, the Mavericks could benefit greatly from adding a difference making player to their roster.ย They have the draft picks, expiring contracts, and talented assets to do so.ย
Mainly, the Mavericks need a small forward and a backup power forward since bringing Marion off the bench along with Terry has produced one of the best Mavericks line-ups this year.ย
Here are ten available or possibly available players that the Mavericks should consider getting for the final stretch run.
10.Omri Casspi
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The Sacramento Kings have been listening to trade offers for swingman Omri Casspi since the beginning of the year according to Marc Stein from ESPN.ย So far, the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks have coveted the young player, but neither team will be willing to take on a big contract along with Casspi, something Sacramento is pushing for.
While still in the rebuilding process, Sacramento will likely look to add young talent to the roster.ย Looking at the Dallas roster, this might be hard considering Dallas is unlikely to trade any of their starts.ย If Sacramento was interested in a package of Jose Barea and an expiring contract such as Deshawn Stevenson and the Maverickโs trade exception obtained in the Alexis Ajinca trade, this could be a possibility.
9.Al Harrington
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This past summer, the Mavericks made an attempt to sign veteran Al Harrington to the mid-level exception only to see him sign the same deal with the Denver Nuggets.ย At that point, the Mavericks were left without a power forward to come in for Dirk Nowitzki, and were forced to sign Brian Cardinal for such job.ย
There is nothing wrong with Cardinal as he works hard and does what he is asked to do, but he is not a legit back-up for Nowitzki.ย Harrington, on the other hand, is a big man that has played off the bench for much of his career and thrived in that role.ย Landing such a player would be ideal for the Mavericks.ย
Regardless of what happens with Carmelo Anthony before the deadline, the Mavericks should look towards acquiring Harrington for some of their expiring contracts like DeShawn Stevenson, Jose Barea, and Brian Cardinal.
8.Brandon Bass
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Ever since Brandon Bass left the Mavericks, he has been missed greatly.ย Bass was a golden pick-up by the Mavericks in the summer of 2008 and truly blossomed as a player in Dallas.ย In Orlando, after a big contract, he has been a bit of a disappointment.
After being in and out of the rotation, lately he has found some consistency in minutes played.ย It would be unlikely for Orlando to part with Bass unless they are getting another big man in return.ย That is exactly what Dallas has to offer.
A package centered on Brendan Haywood would definitely interest Orlando.ย The Mavericks might try to have Orlando take a look at their talented big Ian Mahinmi as well.ย
It would not take a complicated trade to get this done and would have Bass back to where he became the player he is.
7.Carl Landry
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Carl Landry was one of the most important pieces Sacramento received from Houston when they trade Kevin Martin.ย In Sacramento, Landry has not been the player he was in Houston.ย Marc Stein from ESPN reported that Landry is unlikely to re-sign with the Kings.ย If that is the case, Sacramento might be interested in getting some talent in a trade for the forward.
Carl Landry, although somewhat undersized for a power forward, can play the position efficiently.ย Coming off the bench for Houston in his last season, he posted impressive numbers especially down the stretch before being traded to Sacramento.
Landry would come into Dallas to work for the teamโs second unit mainly backing up Dirk Nowitzki.ย With Dirkโs minutes hopefully being reduced to about 33 or 34 per game, Landry would have about 15 minutes of burn behind Dirk.ย Switching to smaller line-ups would give Landry about another 10 to 15 minutes.ย If he plays at the level he did in Houston with those amounts of minutes Dallas could have one of the best frontcourts in the league.ย The problem would be finding a package good enough for Sacramento to pull the trigger.
6.Kevin Martin
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Enough have been said already about the Mavericksโ interest in Kevin Martin.ย Dallas has lacked a true shooting guard for a while now and even though Jason Terry comes in for instant offense off the bench, it is evident the Mavericks need another legitimate scorer.
The Houston Rockets are not likely to make the playoffs and will be looking to deal some pieces to rebuild the franchise.ย The Rocketโs major problem is the lack of size.ย Dallas can provide such size to the Rockets by trading them Brendan Haywood along with the expiring contract of DeShawn Stevenson to make salaries match.ย Another option would be the expiring contract of Caron Butler along with young prospect Ian Mahinmi.
At this point it is unclear whether Houston will be willing to trade Martin, but their lack of success and need for a franchise reboot might drive them to do so.
5.Stephen Jackson
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Captain Jack has seen better days in his basketball career than what he has been through with the Bobcats.ย Trade talks have already developed within the Bobcatโs organization about both Jackson and Gerald Wallace.
The Bobcats, although currently holding the eight playoff spot in the East, are on pace for only 33 wins, 11 less than last year when they finished the season over .500.ย ย ย ย ย The worst part about this is that they are a lottery team over the salary cap.ย
The Bobcats are in desperate need of expiring contracts and the Mavericks can provide that.ย The Mavericks have about $18 million in expiring contracts, including Jose Barea, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler, and Brian Cardinal.ย The Mavericks could potentially package Butler and a first pick for Stephen Jackson and Eduardo Najera or something similar.
The Bobcats present plenty of scenarios for the Mavericks to investigate in order to acquire Captain Jack.
4.Gerald Wallace
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Similar to Stephen Jackson, the Mavericks can attack a trade involving Gerald Wallace the same way.ย Adding to the trade discussion, it is important to notice that the Bobcats could potentially trade both players to the Mavericks if they wanted to.ย
The Mavericks, as mentioned before, have about $18 million in expiring contracts to work with.ย That is almost the exact amount of Stephen Jacksonโs and Gerald Wallaceโs salaries combined.ย In theory, the Mavericks could trade Jose Barea, Caron Butler, Brian Cardinal, and DeShawn Stevenson all for Jackson and Wallace.ย A line-up of Kidd, Jackson, Wallace, Nowitzki, and Chandler looks as menacing offensively and it does defensively.
Although this is unlikely to happen, it would even better than any Marc Cuban trade done before, and thatโs a lot to say.
3.Tayshaun Prince
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Detroit has been looking to shop both Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince ever since they decided to reboot the franchise.ย Prince would be trickier to move since he has an expiring deal while Hamilton does not.ย Regardless, Detroit will listen to offers made.
Similarly to Houston, Detroit lacks size and the Mavericks have plenty of it.ย It would be hard to envision Detroit taking a contract like Brendan Haywoodโs in the books, but a player like Ian Mahinmi could be of interest.ย First round picks would play a significant role in with Detroit, and Dallas owns their picks. A package sending expiring contracts, Mahinmi, and a first round pick could be enough to land Prince.
2.Andre Iguodala
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The fact that the Sixersโ current playoff push has management sticking with the team as it is does not mean the Mavericks should not still pursue Andre Iguodala.ย Iguodala is the playmaker and slasher the Mavericks need.ย He is truly a B-class LeBron James, which is pretty darn good.
To land Andre Iguodala, the Mavericks would have to get very crafty.ย They would likely have to part ways with Rodrigue Beaubois as well as a couple of first round picks as well as take back salary from the Sixers.
Dealing for Iguodala is probably something that will prove too hard for the Mavericks to pull off, but it would be the best fit for the team other thanโฆ
1.Carmelo Anthony
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Carmelo Anthony is probably number one in stretch run player rankings for almost any NBA team. Dallas, unlike other NBA teams, is willing to just rent him for the remainder of the season.ย There are not many players like Anthony in the league, especially not available for trade.ย He brings pure scoring to the table and the ability to get to the line over eight times per game.
Dallas is in need of scoring and also has a big hole at small forward with the loss of Caron Butler.ย Anthony is a perfect fit.ย Pairing Anthony with Kidd and Nowitzki will allow him to score with less pressure from the opposing teamโs defense and make him a more efficient player.
It would take a complicated trade from Dallas to be able to land Anthony given the level of difficulty already experienced by teams like the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks.ย The package from Dallas would have to include Rodrigue Beaubois, Brendan Haywood, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler, first round picks, and cash relief.ย In return, Dallas would have to take in the contract of Al Harrington as well, something they could actually benefit from.
In the above scenario, the regular fan would think Dallas gets the best of the deal, but only if Carmelo re-signs which is not a given.
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