Multiple Buyouts Could Be Looming For Dallas Mavericks

The NBA Trade Deadline is just a week away, but the Dallas Mavericks might stay quiet and buyout some veterans after the deadline.

As a fan, it’s not what we want to hear.

Every fan of the Mavericks, and quite frankly the NBA, love to see their team do something at the trade deadline. Armed with roughly $13 million in cap space and a couple of expiring veterans, could the Dallas be active at the deadline?

They very well could be, but be prepared if they are not. Not only that, but a couple of buyouts could be on the horizon after the deadline if a few names are still on the roster.

The front office has been open about always pursuing the playoffs, but they could find themselves mathematically eliminated earlier than normal this season with just 16 wins on the season heading into February.

At that point, or even sooner possibly, the Mavericks will probably focus on developing their young core and looking at what they have in someone like Johnathan Motley. Motley has been unbelievable in the G-League and is on a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks.

This is why some buyouts could be on the horizon to make room for Motley.

Josh McRoberts has appeared in two games this season and was acquired as an expiring contract last summer. His expiring $6 million could be enticing at the deadline, but if he isn’t moved, exploring a buyout might be the best for both sides.

McRoberts might want the chance to log some minutes on a playoff team and Dallas might want his roster spot to bring in a young flyer and make Motley a staple on the active roster. I would assume Dallas would be willing to pay the majority of his contract in order for him to join a playoff team.

Dallas could also waive McRoberts similar to what they did with Deron Williams last season.

Another possibility is Nerlens Noel.

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Noel controls everything at the trade deadline as he can put a stop to anything due to him signing the qualifying offer over the summer. He basically has a no-trade clause for this year. Noel could sit back, tell Dallas he isn’t accepting a trade, and then approach them after the deadline about a buyout.

With Noel only making a little over $4 million a year, this should be simple if Dallas and Noel’s party agree this is the right path.

This would allow Noel to have his choice among the teams in the league and instantly become the hottest commodity on the buyout market. Teams like Cleveland, Boston, Minnesota and more would love to get their hands on Noel for a playoff run.

Waiving Noel wouldn’t be ideal for the Noel camp as his salary could be picked up by a lot of teams in the league. A potential buyout would allow Noel to pick his new team.

J.J. Barea and Devin Harris are staples in the organization and have had a vital role in mentoring Dennis Smith Jr.. I do not see them moving on from the Mavericks in the foreseeable future.

If Dallas did buyout McRoberts and Noel, this would clear up an active roster spot for Motley and another roster spot for Dallas to tryout some G-League call ups.

Next: McRoberts Focused on Health, Not Trade Deadline

McRoberts and Noel could very well find themselves in a trade over the next week, but if they are on the roster past the deadline, don’t be surprised if both names come up in buyout talks.

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