Does this trade make sense for the Dallas Mavericks?
Besides going out and adding more talent ahead of the trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks also need to try and find ways to cut some salaries from their roster. Dwight Powell is owed $11M this season and $11M next season, yet he is a very minimal contributor to this team.
With Porzingis, Powell, Cauley-Stein, Marjanovic and Brown at the center position, the Mavericks definitely have a chance to cut back on some unneeded salaries, which is why trading Willie Cauley-Stein and Dwight Powell makes sense.
Obviously getting Eric Gordon in return would offset the idea of “dumping” some salaries, but he can contribute at a much higher level than the likes of Cauley-Stein and Powell combined right now. He fits their team in terms of being an off-the-ball threat next to Luka Doncic and Gordon would be another key scoring weapon they can rely on.
Over 61% of the Mavericks’ total offensive production this season has come from Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Brunson and Tim Hardaway Jr. For a team that wants to contend for a title, they are going to need to add more secondary scorers, preferably on their bench, which is why this trade does ultimately make sense.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Dallas Mavericks — Pass Or Pursue?
It could wind up costing Mark Cuban a little bit of money, but if he wants his team to be in the best shape to contend right now, then bringing in Eric Gordon and Danuel House Jr. in this trade is a smart idea.
Neither player is going to drastically change this franchise and make them the best team in the Western Conference, but both Gordon and House do give the Mavericks a better chance at winning more games because of their perimeter shooting skills.
Dallas could realistically go “big game hunting” at the trade deadline and try to bring in another superstar-like talent, but there are two reasons why they will not be able to. The first is because they do not have the valuable assets to trade away for an All-Star player and the second being that no teams in the league are really offering their top-tier talents right now.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Dallas Mavericks — Pass Or Pursue?
Someone like Ben Simmons could fit in well in Dallas given his two-way play, but what would the Mavericks possibly offer up that the 76ers would want?
This is just one example of many proving that the Mavericks do not have the trade assets to make a monumental change to their roster. Eric Gordon may wind up costing the Mavericks more than they would like in the long-run, but you know what you are getting with him and he can be a key scorer for this team.
