NBA Trade Rumors: Dallas Mavericks Best Served Standing Pat at Deadline
It’s been a bizarre season for the defending champs.
The Dallas Mavericks lost their best defensive player and backup point guard from last year because owner Mark Cuban already decided to conceive the 2011-12 season.
And he’s right.
I’m not sure if there has ever been a historical example of what the Mavericks are doing—maybe a less extreme version of the Florida Marlin teams in 1997 and 2003.
Winning a ring means every player on that team has an inflated value. That’s why Tyson Chandler walked, and ditto for JJ Barea.
They were not worth tying up the payroll for the next half decade.
Because of Cuban’s track record, the rumors are still hanging over the team. ESPN’s Ryan Corazza reports two players that may be donning a new uniform come March 15th:
"While there's no reason not to take this at face value, there are two names to keep an eye on in Dallas as the trade deadline approaches: Shawn Marion and Rodrigue Beaubois.
There's been rumblings Dallas could potentially look to move Marion's contract -- one that still has two years on it after this one -- in order to make more salary cap room for the summer when Dallas could try and sign both Deron Williams and Dwight Howard -- provided Howard isn't dealt by the deadline.
"
Cuban would be foolish to bother messing with his 21-13 team at this juncture. He knows Williams is from Dallas and Howard would certainly follow if he has the opportunity to pair up with an All-Star point guard and Dirk Nowitzki.
With multiple contracts set to come off the books, it’s more than possible to pull off.
Right now the Mavericks are a good team, but not a great one. Sure, getting rid of Marion’s contract would be nice, but it’s not necessary. “The Matrix” (11.9 ppg, 6.4 apg) has a unique skill set and he still provides strong value to the team. Marion is capable of playing a major role next year at the age of 34, especially on the defensive end.
As for Beaubois, he may not be providing a ton of production (7.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg), but he’s only 23 and is making $1.2M this year and $2.2M next. He has shown enough flashes of talent to suggest it’s too early to give up on him just yet.
The reality is that the Mavericks are still a terrific team, but not a championship contender. With the way the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder have looked this season, it’s going to take a small miracle to beat them with Vince Carter averaging 24.5 minutes per game.
So be patient Mavs fans, and keep bragging about last year’s championship while you can, because 2012 is not your year.
But 2013, on the other hand...
