Does this trade make sense for the Dallas Mavericks?
Besides Kristaps Porzingis, the Mavericks don’t have any marquee players that could realistically be thrown into a trade package for Marcus Smart. In light of that, Dallas can send a couple of players together to convince Boston of parting ways with Smart this summer. The Mavericks wouldn’t hesitate to rid of Richardson as the veteran wing never seemed to fit in his first season with the team in 2020-21.
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What would make Dallas hesitate to go through with the trade is the fact they’d have to move on from Brunson. Brunson is viewed as a potential starter for the Mavericks as he has had the best year of his career this season. The former second-round pick out of Villanova earned himself a decent payday with how he performed in the regular season and in the playoffs this year.
But being able to get a player like Smart would be an ideal addition alongside Luka Doncic. Smart is a two-way guard that can improve the perimeter defense of the Mavericks. He’s also capable of knocking down threes, making him a candidate to start at point guard for Dallas.
It would be tough for the Mavericks to part ways with Brunson while he’s developing into a solid player, but ridding of Richardson and getting Smart in return could be enough for them to give him up.
