The Dallas Mavericks are one of the most talented teams in the NBA At the same time they aren’t perfect. Realistically, there’s plenty of room for this team to improve. The Mavericks may not be done constructing their roster.
Sure, they’ve got the most important elements. The Mavericks have got a superstar duo. They’re a good fit together on paper, too.
Luka Doncic is one of the best playmakers in the NBA, and Kyrie Irving is one of the league’s most gifted shot-creators. The issue is that Dallas hasn’t filled out the roster around their star duo.
What are they missing? Well, Dallas could use some wing depth. They could use a third option outside of Doncic and Irving. Still, above all else, it feels like Dallas needs a defensive anchor. This team is giving up too many points in the paint.
Could Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks stop the bleeding?
NBA Trade Proposal: Dallas Mavericks Land New York Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson
New York Knicks Receive: C Richaun Holmes, G Jaden Hardy, 2027 First-Round Pick (NYK)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: C Mitchell Robinson
It’s fascinating that the Mavericks would seek to pair Doncic with a star, shot-creating guard. Some would argue they already had such a player, and they let him slip away.
Jalen Brunson is the starting point guard for the New York Knicks, but a couple of years ago, he broke out as a member of the Mavericks.
Apparently, he didn’t break out enough. The Mavericks decided that it wasn’t worth paying Brunson in free agency. After he left for the Knicks, he broke out again. Brunson is generally seen as being on the same level as Irving.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Did Dallas make a mistake? In hindsight, yes. At the same time, we’re playing Monday morning quarterback. Brunson was not expected to reach the level that he’s currently at. Either way, the Mavericks have their star duo now.
Does this deal help them succeed?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
Robinson wouldn’t exclusively upgrade this team’s defense. He should be helpful on the offensive end as well. Realistically, he may be the most efficient pick-and-roll finisher that Doncic has ever played alongside. Once those two develop chemistry, the Mavericks should really get rolling.
With that said, this is about protecting the interior above all else. The Mavericks clearly value this archetype: Dwight Powell, Richaun Holmes, and Derrick Lively III are all on this roster.
Yet, out of that group, only Lively III has been effective – and he’s a rookie. Dallas could use an upgrade to their big-man rotation, and Robinson would be a tremendous one.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks Updates
He’s worth the cost here as well. Dallas doesn’t seem to trust Holmes, and Hardy has struggled to crack their rotation as well. Parting with a first-round pick to add a defensive big of Robinson’s quality is a worthwhile trade-off for Dallas.
Should the Knicks make that trade?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
There have been rumblings for some time that Robinson is unhappy in New York. If that’s true, it’s reason enough to move him. The Knicks have Isaiah Hartenstein as a capable backup, so they can spare Robinson if it makes their locker room more harmonious.
Of course, that’s not the only benefit here. Hardy has star potential. He may struggle to find his way in New York too. Between Brunson, Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes, he’ll face stiff competition. Still, the Knicks would be happy to simply add a talented player to their roster.
They’ll also be happy to add a first-round pick. The Knicks already have one of the best collections of draft capital in the NBA. Many expect that they’ll eventually use it to trade for a star.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks Updates
This is an asset that they can use in those efforts. Who knows? The Knicks might be one of the most talented teams in the NBA before you know it.
