NBA Trade Rumors: Why Dallas Mavs Should Make Moves and Go All-in for a Repeat
The opportunity to win a championship doesn't come around often. Last year, the Mavs made the most of their opportunity and etched an epic playoff run into the NBA history books.
What will it take to seize another opportunity this year? What do they need to do to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy for a second straight season?
Some argue that the Mavs should play the conservative role and resist any wheeling and dealing as the trade deadline approaches. The main logic behind this is to save money to pursue potential free agents Dwight Howard and Deron Williams.
Therefore, this year is unessential in the minds of many Mavs fans. Who cares about a repeat? Let's just focus on building a dynasty for the future!
In some ways, this is wise. The pursuit of Williams and Howard should definitely be on the radar, and having money on the table to lure them is crucial.
But that doesn't mean they have to concede this season. They're the reigning champs and still have core pieces in place. What's the point in settling for a one-year wonder when a couple moves could make a repeat highly plausible?
We must be honest in recognizing that the current Dallas squad is incapable of winning another title. Players are aging and ailing, the loss of Tyson Chandler hurts deeply, Lamar Odom is an enigma and younger teams are growing all the more potent (Oklahoma City, Miami, Chicago).
Thus, if the Mavs are serious about a repeat, they better start exploring some options, and the reason why they should do this is that every year is essential, especially when you're the defending champions.
It would be foolish for the Mavs to not at least attempt to better position themselves for a championship run. As stated earlier, championship opportunities don't come around often. When you have them, you go all-in.
And quite frankly, Williams and Howard will most likely not end up in Big D next season. It's certainly not a scenario to count on.
Because of this, the Mavs should view their title window as one that's slowly closing, a window that's still open and certainly worth finding a way to sneak through for a second straight year. As Dirk Nowitzki's career wanes, as well as Jason Kidd's, Shawn Marion's and Jason Terry's, so will the Mavs' championship hopes.
With this in mind, the Mavs should get active in seeking after deals.
"What deals?" you are certainly wondering.
The obvious one is to pursue Williams, in which the Mavs would acquire him and attempt to sign him long term. This will hopefully attract Howard come the summer.
But this is unlikely, due to the fact that the New Jersey Nets will most likely keep Williams (as they're holding out hope that Howard joins their squad as they soon venture to Brooklyn).
Further, the Mavs don't have the trade assets to land a player as superb as Williams. This potential is undoubtedly a long shot.
The more realistic scenario is pursuing Steve Nash, who possesses an expiring contract (so he wouldn't break the bank) and who's still playing at a high level (was selected once again to the All-Star Game this season).
But they better get moving quickly on this, as the Orlando Magic are rumored to be interested in the veteran guard.
The Mavs could offer 24-year-old point guard Rodrigue Beaubois and 25-year-old bruiser Ian Mahinmi (and a draft pick if needed). These two players would give the Phoenix Suns some bright pieces for their rebuilding process. Nash would take the reins to the Dallas backcourt, with Kidd coming off the bench.
Another option to pursue is one of the veterans in Boston. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge will very likely blow the team up if they continue to struggle, which will mean Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will be on the trading block.
While Pierce is the better player at this stage in their careers, Allen is more feasible in regards to a trade and money. Pierce still has a few years left on his hefty contract, which the Mavs would understandably not want to entertain.
But Allen's contract is expiring after this season. The Mavs could offer Brandan Wright and a draft pick for Allen and Jermaine O'Neal (whose contract is also expiring).
Wright has shown promise, but his young career has been laden with injuries and it's far too early to foresee him as a future All-Star. It's worth bidding farewell to him to try and win another title this season.
These moves would give the Mavs a depth chart situation that would look something like this:
Point Guard Steve Nash Jason Kidd Shooting Guard Ray Allen Jason Terry Small Forward Shawn Marion Vince Carter Power Forward Dirk Nowitzki Lamar Odom Center Brendan Haywood Jermaine O'Neal | |
This array of players would certainly contend for a title. With all that veteran talent and experience, such a core would definitely give the Mavs a chance to repeat.
Plus, these moves would not put the Mavs in a financial situation in which pursuing Williams and Howard in the offseason is no longer possible. These moves would land the Mavs three expiring contracts, enabling their financial flexibility to remain come season's end.
It's vividly clear that the Mavs' current roster is a shell of last year's team. They need to make moves if they're serious about capturing another elusive title.
Title opportunities come along so infrequently. I say they go all-in while the the door's still open.
