Mavericks Should be Watching Lakers, Celtics Closely

The Dallas Mavericks are all about free agency and the NBA Draft right now, but they should also be looking at possible trades with teams who need to make some cuts. A few of those teams in particular stick out to me.

The Dallas Mavericks are slowly assembling their new-look roster after last year’s losing season. With so many new faces to get used to, there is rightful reason to doubt whether or not the team is in a solid enough position to add marquee talent to compete for a championship. While the team still does not truly know what it has in Harrison Barnes and Nerlens Noel, they need to be carefully monitoring the rest of the league for potential availability, specifically the Lakers and Celtics.

While the Los Angeles Lakers are not rich with NBA talent, there are players on the roster that could be a huge score for the Mavs. Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. are interesting options for the Mavs to pursue, should they become available.

The reason they may get out of Los Angeles, is because of Magic Johnson’s uber-aggressive management style. With little patience for a rebuild, the Lakers and the pressure from their fans may rush into certain free agency and trade acquisitions, such as their rumored interest in Paul George.

With Magic’s interest in assembling a super team, the Lakers may have to jettison one of their younger players, such as Clarkson or Nance Jr. Dallas should look to scoop up whatever remains that Magic sends out onto the free agency wire, and they may have an opportunity to do the same with the Lakers’ rival, the Celtics.

Dallas Mavericks

Boston is obviously in a much better position to win than the Lakers. With Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford and Avery Bradley, Boston is in position to add just one or two more pieces to compete for a finals appearance or better. While the Celtics will undoubtedly go after Gordon Hayward once free agency begins, they will also be adding the first overall pick in this year’s draft to their roster.

The Celtics may look to add Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball with that pick, or possibly trade it for Paul George or Jimmy Butler. Either way, a massively important asset is being plugged in to the starting lineup in Boston.

This could lead to a minor exodus from Boston. The Celtics may not land Gordon Hayward, but  they are extremely likely to add an expensive player or two to their books this summer.  James Young and Kelly Olynyk have been somewhat of disappointments since they were drafted by the Celtics.

With a tighter salary cap situation inevitable, Boston may be forced to part ways with some of their rotation players. Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier could become available if enough things go right for the Celtics. While Boston would ideally like to keep Rozier, they may be forced to unload him.

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Dallas should be closely watching these two teams and whatever moves they make. The Mavs have quietly made strong additions from cast-offs in the past, such as DeShawn Stevenson, Shawn Marion, and J.J. Barea. Dallas needs to be thinking along the same lines this offseason, and the Celtics and Lakers could help them do just that.