NBA Trade Rumors: Landing Brandon Jennings Not the Right Move for Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks will look into acquiring point guard Brandon Jennings if the Milwaukee Bucks make him available before the Feb. 21 trade deadline, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

Stein tweeted on Tuesday:

"

Mavs, I'm told, do have interest in Brandon Jennings and will be in mix for him if Bucks opt to make RFA-to-be available b4 Feb. 21 deadline

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 13, 2013"

My question is: Why?

There are a number of reasons I don't like this move for the Mavericks. For one, while Jennings offers more playmaking ability than Darren Collison, he's shot under 40 percent for his career (including 39.5 percent this season). 

Beyond that, among point guards averaging 30 minutes or more this season, Jennings is in the bottom half of the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (via Hoopdata.com).

But the biggest reason the Mavericks shouldn't go after Jennings?

His defense.

Depending on your perspective, Jennings is either a below-average defender or simply a horrid defender. Yes, he's averaging 1.9 steals this season, but his on-the-ball defense is severely lacking. His lack of size (6'1", 169 lbs) doesn't help matters and that has been magnified playing alongside the undersized Monta Ellis in Milwaukee.

Now, tell me: Why would a Mavericks team allowing 102.8 points per game (28th in the NBA) want to add a defensively-challenged player? Moreover, why would they want to add a player with a low assist-to-turnover ratio who isn't an efficient scorer?

Jennings would be a marginal upgrade to Collison, but it wouldn't significantly change anything in Dallas. What's the point of giving up something for him in a trade? You would be making a move just to make a move.

The Mavericks are 22-29 and far outside the playoff picture leading up to the All-Star break.

This is when teams begin to get desperate.

Mavericks fans can only hope that owner Mark Cuban isn't desperate enough to make this move.

Wanna talk sports?