For competitive NBA teams, roster balance is essential. The players on your team need to complement each other. With the trade deadline approaching, look for some of the league’s fringe contenders to try to plug some holes in their rosters.
The Dallas Mavericks are one of those teams. With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on their roster, they should look like contenders. Instead, the Mavericks have been underwhelming. Why?
The roster is unbalanced. In particular, Dallas could use a defensive wing. So, they should look to a team with a surplus of such players to make a deal. Could they trade for Jae’Sean Tate of the Houston Rockets?
NBA Trade Proposal
Houston Rockets Receive: G Seth Curry, F/C Markieff Morris Sr., 2025 Second-Round Pick (TOR via DAL), 2028 Second-Round Pick (MIA via DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F Jae’Sean Tate
Still, top-end talent counts for the most. If you don’t have a franchise player, you won’t compete for the NBA title. This seems to be a lesson that wasn’t lost on the Rockets.
After all, they had the same franchise player for a long time. James Harden was the center of the Rockets’ universe. When he finally demanded a trade, the organization opted to avoid mediocrity. The Rockets tanked for several years in pursuit of a franchise player.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Did they land one? Time will tell. Alperen Sengun has flashed the potential to be that guy. Still, the Rockets have plenty of lottery talent on the roster as well. With that in mind, the Rockets stopped tanking in 2023-24. This team has started competing. Does this deal help them continue down that path?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
The Rockets tried to balance their roster this summer. Having tanked for three years, they had a lot of needs. The Rockets opted to beef up their defense and add some playmaking.
So far, the plan has worked. The Rockets are on pace to league the lead in improved win percentage. With that said, they neglected shooting when building their roster this summer.
Here, they’re bringing in a movement shooter in Curry. He’s struggling this year, but if he regresses to his mean, he’ll give this offense a new wrinkle.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks Updates
The Rockets don’t need a poor shooting wing like Tate as badly as they need Curry, and adding a part-time stretch five like Morris makes sense as well. Should the Mavericks trade those two veterans?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
For what it’s worth, Tate is the best player in this deal. Sure, he’s got his shortcomings. If the Mavericks want to add a stout defensive wing who spaces the floor, they’ll pass on this deal.
They’ll also have to give up a lot more than Curry, Morris, and a pair of second-rounders. That could be problematic for Dallas – they’re light on draft capital. Arguably, they should look to make a marginal upgrade at the deadline.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Tate would be that upgrade. He’s a multi-positional defender who can make plays for his teammates. He should make the Mavericks a better team – if nothing else, he’ll balance their roster.
