Dallas Mavericks: A Few Remaining Possible Trades

Devin Harris for Noah Vonleh and Pat Connaughton

The reason this trade would make sense is essentially just cap space. The Portland Trail Blazers have some of the worst contracts in the NBA over the last few years and are way over the cap because of it. Players like Allen Crabbe, Ed Davis, Evan Turner, and Noah Vonleh are making way more money than they should be.

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Although Portland was able to shed the Crabbe contract to the Brooklyn Nets, they still find themselves in the hole in cap space. Noah Vonleh is under contract for more than $3.5 million this coming season. Pat Connaughton is still under his rookie deal so even though it is small, $1.4 million would still help them gain a little more flexibility.

Portland would be able to bring in Devin Harris and then let him go, thanks to the unguaranteed nature of his contract. This would cut about $5 million from the salary and open up some roster space for young talent. Dallas would lose a great veteran, but would gain two young players who have room to grow.

Dallas would especially like this trade because they would be able to use it as a bit of a tryout. Both Vonleh and Connaughton both have qualifying offers the following year, which would make them easier to move one way or another down the road, especially if they play well. Either way, Dallas loves Harris and is probably not going anywhere.