Dallas Mavericks: Is a Cauley-Stein Trade Possible?

With ESPN’s Marc Stein reporting that Sacramento is open to dealing Willie Cauley-Stein, should the Dallas Mavericks show any interest in the young center?

On Friday, ESPN’s Marc Stein wrote about some chatter around the NBA currently and the topic of Kings big man, Willie Cauley-Stein was something he mentioned.

“Keep an eye on Kings big man Willie Cauley-Stein. Word is Sacramento is open to moving the second-year big man, who wants more of a role than he has under new Kings coach Dave Joerger.” Marc Stein says.

With Cauley-Stein only logging just over 14 minutes a game, the former 6th overall pick is obviously wanting a bigger role and it looks as if Sacramento might help him out with that.

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Should the Dallas Mavericks show interest?

With Dallas in this awkward stage of wanting to compete for Dirk Nowitzki while rebuilding with young talent at the same time, Dallas could do their due diligence.

A lot of it would obviously have to do with what Sacramento would want back for the young fella.

Do they want picks? A young wing player or trusted veteran? Point guard? Dallas might have some pieces worth considering, but only a select few of them are eligible to be traded before mid-December.

But if Sacramento holds off until then, Dallas could have multiple options to throw at the Kings for the chance at a young talent in Cauley-Stein. Sacramento could up the ante by trying to attach Kostas Koufos to the deal in hopes of shedding his contract.

If Dallas could pull off the deal while keeping Andrew Bogut in the middle, this would give Dallas a solid young piece off the bench to run with the second unit while also providing insurance for the possibility of Bogut leaving in the offseason.

Although he struggles shooting the ball, he has elite athleticism and shot blocking ability as a 23-year-old. I look at him as a younger, more athletic Salah Mejri. After being drafted ahead of Myles Turner, Devin Booker, and Emmanuel Mudiay just two years ago, Cauley-Stein is just tapping into his potential.

Next: Nowitzki Unlikely to Come Off Bench

If Dallas can sweep in a steal him for a cheap price, they have to take the chance at another young piece.