How the Dallas Mavericks Could Benefit From a Raptors Blow Up

With speculation around what the Toronto Raptors will do going forward, teams like the Dallas Mavericks could benefit from their dismantling.

The Toronto Raptors failed once again to get past the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs as they were swept in the second round just a few short days ago.

After making deals before the trade deadline to try to push them over the top in challenging the Cavaliers, the Raptors not only failed again, but now face some important questions heading into the offseason.

Will they bring the same core back together? What about new additions in Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker? What about the contracts of Carroll and Valanciunas? Is a coaching change needed?

Everything hinges around the free agency of Kyle Lowry.

Lowry enters the summer where he will decline the last year of his player option and hit unrestricted free agency. Toronto should come calling with a max contract, but will Lowry want to try again with a similar Raptors team?

With the Lowry situation just a one of many things for Toronto to consider, other teams around the league could benefit from a potential shake up in the roster.

Kyle Lowry

Mark Cuban says the Mavericks aren’t going free agent shopping for the big fish this summer, but is Lowry considered a big fish?

I would assume Lowry would be considered a big fish, but would Dallas push their chips in again for a max contract free agent?

If Toronto decides that paying the 31-year-old Lowry a max contract isn’t worth it for the long-term, then they could let Lowry walk. Teams like the Sixers, Spurs, Lakers and more could be lining up for a meeting come July.

If Dallas gets the vibe that they could have a legit shot, I wouldn’t count Dallas out of the Lowry running.

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Serge Ibaka

Lowry might be the biggest name hitting free agency in Toronto, but Ibaka could be just as important considering what they gave up to get him at the trade deadline.

The money situation will get tricky in Toronto, but if they max out Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka could very well be had by another team. The price tag for Ibaka is unsure at the moment, but one would assume it will be rather high for the 27-year-old.

With Dirk Nowitzki, Nerlens Noel, Harrison Barnes, and even Dwight Powell under contract, signing Serge Ibaka might not be the perfect fit. But if Dallas unloaded Powell and wanted to shift Barnes back to the three, then Ibaka could be a target for the right price.

DeMarre Carroll

No matter what Toronto decides to do, money will be a problem moving forward with the franchise. If Lowry and Ibaka are brought back, they could look to unload one or both of Jonas Valanciunas and DeMarre Carroll.

Since Dallas should be bringing back Nerlens Noel at center, would they show interest in DeMarre Carroll?

Carroll is due roughly $30 million over the next two seasons, thus making Dallas’ (or any other team) interest not very high. But if cap space is there and Toronto is willing to attach a young asset or draft pick with Carroll, then a team like Dallas could show interest.

Young Assets

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Toronto needs to do something different with the roster this offseason and it might come at the cost of letting go of a few of their young pieces.

Toronto has Bruno Caboclo, Lucas Nogueira, Jakob Poeltl, Delon Wright and others they might have to put into some deals to bring back something different. Players that are still in their rookie contracts.

A team like Dallas could show interest in another young piece if Toronto entertain shipping off a young asset.

Opinion

It would be nice to see the Mavericks have a point guard like Lowry, but I wouldn’t chase him in free agency. Ibaka would be a solid rebounder to have on the roster, but I wouldn’t pay the price that he is going to get on the market.

I wouldn’t touch the contract of Carroll without a draft pick or young piece attached. Even then, I would still be a little weary. As far as their young pieces, trying to obtain one of their wing or front court players would be something I would be in favor of if Toronto started selling.

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Changes are coming in Toronto whether it’s through letting free agents walk or trades. Now we wait to see what teams could benefit from a potential blow up north of the border.