Why the Dallas Mavericks Must Trade Matthews And Powell Now

Entering an important offseason, the time is now for the Dallas Mavericks to trade Wesley Matthews and Dwight Powell.

When the Mavericks nabbed free-agent shooting guard Wesley Matthews away from the Portland Trail Blazers, it paved the way for the Mavs to “sign” DeAndre Jordan as well. After Jordan’s infamous kidnapping by the Clippers and sudden change of heart, Dallas was left with Matthews as their main free agent pickup.

Two seasons later, the Mavs find themselves owning a top-ten pick in this year’s draft with the hopes of adding another young, developmental player to their already youthful core. The genius trade involving Nerlens Noel comes with a cost to the Mavs.

Luckily for the Mavs, Noel is only a restricted free agent, and the Mavs can match any offer given to Noel by other teams. If the Mavs are hoping to make additions to their roster from other teams, then the retention of Noel might inhibit those efforts.

This means the Mavs have no choice but to unload veterans Wesley Matthews and Dwight Powell from their books. Matthews’ expensive contract and the inflated funds being given to Powell have not produced much return for the Mavs, who have been looking for a starting shooting guard since the injury to Caron Butler in 2011.

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Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons are looking to trade their number twelve overall pick in this year’s draft for a proven player who will instill a win-now mentality into the team. If Detroit is willing to take Matthews onto their books, then Dallas would own both the number nine and number twelve overall picks in this year’s draft.

Matthews and Powell account for $27 million on the Mavs books this year. Unloading one or both would greatly enhance the Mavs’ chances at adding a “big fish” in free agency for the first time in years, such as Jrue Holiday.

Matthews’ days in Dallas are clearly numbered, and a potential trade to the Pistons or elsewhere is extremely possible at this time. Dallas could use an extra draft pick or two in this draft to help them transition into the post-Dirk era and should exhaust all opportunities, even if it means parting with one of their starters.

Next: Detailing a Path for De'Aaron Fox to Land in Dallas

Nerlens Noel, Harrison Barnes, Yogi Ferrell, plus a few hugh draft picks is an interesting young core for the Mavs to use going forward with Rick Carlisle still at the helm. The Mavs have an opportunity on their hands, and must approach it delicately.