Does this trade make sense for the Dallas Mavericks?
No matter how you view the Dallas Mavericks roster this offseason, it’s clear to see that they have a frontcourt problem. Kristaps Porzingis is not the same All-Star player he used to be and while they have a log-jam at the center position, none of their guys are really high-impact players.
Dwight Powell tore his Achilles back in January 2020 and has not been the same player since, Willie Cauley-Stein is nothing more than a physical rebounder and Boban Marjanovic is probably their best pure center. Marjanovic can rebound and pass, but is definitely not the modern-day center that can stretch the floor and be a threat to score.
There have been rumors that Dallas could flirt with the idea of going after Richaun Holmes in free agency, but Jarrett Allen really is the best center they could get. He thrives in pick-and-roll situations and moves extremely well for a big man. In 51 games with the Cavs, Jarrett Allen averaged 9.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, making him the picture-perfect big man to put next to Luka Doncic on the court.
The only problem with doing a sign-and-trade for Allen is that Dallas will be tied down to his contract long-term and they would have to give up a fair amount of value.
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With them likely to bring back Tim Hardaway Jr. on a long-term contract this offseason, bringing in Allen as well would eat up all of the Mavericks cap space for at least the next several years, especially since a major Luka Doncic contract extension is on the horizon.
Does Dallas really want to tie themselves down to large, long-term contracts now, especially when this is one of the weakest free agent classes over the last several years? Finding a long-term salutation at the center position is a must for the Mavericks and Allen would definitely aid them, but this may not be the best move for them to make right now.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: Cavs could sign-and-trade Jarrett Allen if they draft Evan Mobley
Dwight Powell and Willie Cauley-Stein are both under contract for one more season and they could easily re-sign Boban to a one-year, close to minimum type of contract. Having all three of these guy’s contact expire at the same time gives Dallas enough room to focus solely on adding a center in free agency next year, a class that will feature names like Jonas Valanciunas, Jusef Nurkic, Mitchell Robinson and even a guy like Marvin Bagley III, who can play the power-forward or center position.
Focusing on adding more scoring talent on the wing and in their backcourt definitely takes priority over the Dallas Mavericks adding a long-term center right now, which is why this trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers might not be in their best interest.
