The best teams in the NBA are typically the most talented teams. With that said, roster construction fits, too. When all of the players on a team logically fit together, it can make for the best basketball. Still, a team needs to have enough talent to win.
Do the Dallas Mavericks have enough talent to win? That’s a tough call. Their top two players are certainly talented enough. Luka Doncic is one of the best players in the NBA, and Kyrie Irving isn’t far off, either. Do they have a viable third option?
That’s a different question. The Mavericks have some solid role players, but nobody stands out as a third fiddle. They may need to go out and get somebody, whether they’re the best fit for the roster. How about DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Tim Hardaway Jr., C Richaun Holmes, G/F Josh Green, 2027 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G/F DeMar DeRozan
On the other hand, the Bulls could be a cautionary tale about prioritizing fit over talent. Yet, even that’s arguable. It’s easy to look at this roster and say the pieces don’t fit. Isn’t it possible that they just weren’t talented enough as well?
Sure, there were fit concerns. Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and DeRozan are all weak defenders. On the other hand, the offensive fit should have been clean enough. DeRozan isn’t much of a floor spacer, but he is a dynamic playmaker. LaVine and Vucevic should have had enough shooting between them to compensate. What happened?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Well, the Bulls never had enough talent to make a serious title run. The poor fit between them may account for how disappointing their season was. In either case, it’s easy to claim that the Bulls should blow up their roster. Is this the right way to go about it?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
We’re not sure what the Bulls will do. This team invested a lot of resources in their current core. They may be apprehensive about rebuilding. Yet, it’s probably what’s best for the franchise. This roster is aging, and unless they blow it up, they’ve got few avenues toward improvement.
This deal helps them get started. They’re landing a lottery-protected first-round pick for DeRozan. Moreover, they should be happy to add Green. Sure, he’s due for his rookie extension next summer. That’s fine. If the Bulls are rebuilding, they should be able to afford him.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Based on name value, Bulls fans may have higher expectations for DeRozan. They should motivate those expectations. As a non-shooting, poor defensive wing who’s aging, he’s going to have limited value. Should the Mavericks even want him?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
The Mavericks do this deal to stockpile talent. There will be concerns here. DeRozan is a sensible enough fit with Kyrie Irving. Irving can function well as an off-ball threat. Does DeRozan fit with Doncic?
Not perfectly. When Doncic has the ball, DeRozan doesn’t offer much. So, the Mavericks could try to keep them apart as often as possible. They could stagger Doncic and DeRozan. In fact, they could even use DeRozqan as a supercharged sixth man. He’d certainly be capable of carrying their offense.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Yet, with some creativity, the Mavericks could make Doncic and DeRozan work. It would be even easier if they could find a stretch big man throughout the season. All told, this is about maximizing the talent on their roster for Dallas. What could matter more than that?
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