Dallas Mavericks NBA Trade Deadline Roundtable

The Dallas Mavericks are fighting for a preferable playoff spot with the NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching. What does management do, if anything, to bolster the roster? Our staff weighs in.

Andrew Mills: With limited trade assets, and the taste of a disastrous trade still lingering in their mouths from last season, I think the Dallas Mavericks stand pat through the NBA trade deadline. Raymond Felton should draw some attention, along with possibly Dwight Powell. In the end however, Dallas decides to see what the current roster can do intacted through the 2nd half of the season.

Sam Casey: I think in the end the Dallas Mavericks will not make any moves. Raymond Felton and Deron Williams have proven too valuable, Wesley Matthews hasn’t been around long enough to shop yet, and with his recent play he won’t have much value. Zaza won’t go because Rick doesn’t trust Powell, McGee, or Mejri with a starting gig.

However, more of just a hope than a realistic option, I’d love to see us secure Al Horford. Rumor has it that the Hawks might shop him. Zaza is liked in Atlanta, and the Hawks might also trade Korver, which would give them a need at SG. I think if we threw in a first round pick and maybe Powell or someone, they could be interested. So some combination of Zaza, Matthews, Powell, and a first round pick for Al Horford. I haven’t put into the trade machine, but I bet Cuban could work something out. That’s what I would love to see! But still I doubt we will make any moves.

Jesse Carr: I think the Mavs stay put at the NBA trade deadline. It’s hard to imagine Dallas being able to garner any type of trade that makes a significant splash. Sure, we might see Felton get traded in an attempt to get someone like Kevin Martin. But, the Mavericks don’t have any big trade pieces.

A combo deal of Powell and Felton might be able to bring in someone significant, but other than that I don’t see the Mavericks being able to bring anyone else in that will make a significant difference.

A trade for Dwight Howard might be a low risk, high reward trade, but the truth is we don’t have anyone to offer for him. Bringing in Howard would mean losing Parsons or Matthews, and I don’t see that happening at all. Unless of course, we trade Parsons back to Houston and convince him to opt out of his contract and resign with us at the end of the season. Obviously that won’t happen, but it would be funny. That being said, there is still a wildcard in Justin Anderson. He has shown some sparks this season, but I really don’t see the Mavericks trying to deal him until he’s developed a little more.

More from The Smoking Cuban

The Mavericks won’t make any big moves before the deadline, not because they don’t want to, but because there aren’t any big moves for them to make. Best case scenario is that Carlisle is able to limp the Mavs into the playoffs. Once again, at the end of this season Dallas, will be left looking to get lucky with a free agent or a draft pick.

Kohl Rast: In my opinion, the Mavs would be crazy not to make a move at the NBA trade deadline. With the current slump that we can’t seem to get ourselves out of, it’s time for Dallas to part ways with some players and bring in fresh bodies. It’s always hard watching players we have learned to love leave the team but in this case it may be necessary.

The Mavericks have tradable players that can fill a void on other teams but are not necessarily making a difference on our current roster. With those players it is not hard to believe we could fill some missing links that can get us back on the right path. I assume we will be seeing a new Dallas team on the court after All-Star Weekend.

Jay Knodell: I think the Mavericks have to make a move. It won’t be anything major for a combination of reasons, but Dwight Powell and/or Raymond Felton could feasibly net the team a player or two that makes the team better in certain areas.

And this might not be a popular opinion, but I think the front office should be figuring out the market for rookie swingman Justin Anderson. It would hurt to lose him, especially since the team likely won’t have a first round pick in this summer’s draft, but the Mavericks have long term money invested in Wesley Matthews, and will likely look to re-sign Chandler Parsons assuming he opts out of the final year of his deal.

Anderson won’t start over either of those two in the near future, so if the right deal comes along Dallas might have to take a hard look at parting ways with the rookie. They’re in win-now mode, and Anderson just doesn’t fit that mind frame presently.

Isaac Harris: If you asked me over the past couple months of the season I would have told you that Raymond Felton was all but gone by the deadline, but now with the injuries surrounding Devin Harris and Deron Williams (at times), Felton is essential at times. But he could be gone for the right price.

Not by surprise, but I think the Mavs have to capitalize on Dwight Powell’s value right now. A package of Felton, Powell, and/or Anderson could net the Mavs something that could help them make a push down the stretch.

If the Mavs entertain a bigger deal, I say watch out for Hassan Whiteside. A package of Pachulia, Felton, and Powell could entice the Heat and allow them to compete at a high level still. While the Mavs would take the chance of losing Whiteside in the offseason.

Bottom line, the Mavs need something. Whether it is a main scoring option off the bench or another wing defender, the Mavs need to do something before Thursday. I say the Mavs make a deal, but one to a smaller degree.

Next: 3 Small Moves the Mavs Could Make at the NBA Trade Deadline

Make sure to follow us @thesmokingcuban, and check out our weekly podcast on iTunes!

Home/Mavs News