Could the Dallas Mavericks Realistically Chase Jimmy Butler or Paul George?

The summer is coming where Paul George and Jimmy Butler will be the hottest names on the market once again. Will Dallas have a shot?

At the NBA Trade deadline in February, two names dominated all of the storylines: Paul George and Jimmy Butler.

The deadline came and went with both players staying with their respected teams. Now, after both players have been eliminated from the playoffs, the spotlight shifts back to their teams and their futures.

Paul George is entering an offseason where he is going into (potentially) the final year on his contract and able to sign an extension with the Pacers. Will he give the Pacers an indication to where his heart is leaning? Will Indiana go ahead and trade him?

Next door, in Chicago, the Bulls are in a different situation with Jimmy Butler. Butler is under contract for at least two more years and a player option for the year after that. For Chicago to trade Butler, it would be for an irresistible package that will shape them for the future.

So could Dallas put together a package for one of the two stars out East?

Probably not…at all.

It wouldn’t be because Dallas wouldn’t try, but rather the aggressive teams interested would have more valuable assets for a rebuild.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics will be at the forefront of any trade rumors as they are armed with draft picks and younger assets. Even teams like the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers could push themselves into discussions if desired.

For Dallas, everything would hinge on winning the NBA Draft Lottery on May 16th.

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Pushing the argument of whether the Mavericks should trade that pick away off to the side, if the goal was to land Butler or George, everything would start with the first overall pick in the draft. Then it would get interesting.

Assuming Dallas would hold on to Harrison Barnes, Seth Curry would probably need to be the face of the package and hope that Indiana or Chicago views the younger Curry as a blossoming, young piece. After Curry, you would most likely have to add in Wesley Matthews unless either team wanted to stay younger with Curry, Dwight Powell and other pieces.

Dallas could also dangle their 2019 first round pick in the deal.

With the possibility of landing Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball in the draft, the value on that top pick will be extremely high come June.

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So if you are sitting back hoping that Dallas gets into the Butler or George trade talks, don’t hold your breath. Because if Dallas doesn’t get lucky on lottery night, you can forget about trade talks even taking place.