The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

Two Trades the Dallas Mavericks Could Make in Draft

By Kohl Rast

DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 26: Team owner Mark Cuban looks on during a press conference to introduce Cynthia Marshall as the new Dallas Mavericks Interim CEO at American Airlines Center on February 26, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 26: Team owner Mark Cuban looks on during a press conference to introduce Cynthia Marshall as the new Dallas Mavericks Interim CEO at American Airlines Center on February 26, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: Assistant Vice President of Basketball Ops, Michael Finley represents the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 15: Assistant Vice President of Basketball Ops, Michael Finley represents the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Dallas Mavericks will have the 5th selection in this year’s NBA Draft, but they will undoubtedly be active on the trade market along the way. Is there any way the Mavs could add another lottery pick without losing number 5?

I am a believer that the Dallas Mavericks should not be looking to trade their first round pick. The rebuild is not over, even though a lot of people want it to be (Mavs front office included). One thing the Mavs need to start considering for this rebuild is getting more lottery picks in the drafts and taking on some of the bad contracts in the NBA.

These two trades will focus on that mindset. In order for these trades to work, however, it has to be understood that the Mavs will be rebuilding for the next few years. This would be a change from what we have heard so far from Coach Carlisle, Mark Cuban, and Donnie Nelson.

In any Mavs trade scenarios, people need to realize that the assets available are limited. Dallas has Harrison Barnes, a player who has yet to become what everyone believed he could but is a serviceable 2nd or 3rd option, Dennis Smith Jr., a rookie showing a lot of potential but one the Mavs definitely won’t trade, Wesley Matthews, a veteran point guard with only one more year on his contract, and draft picks.

It’s no secret that these pieces alone are probably not turning too many heads. That is why the extra cap space the Mavs currently have is an even more important asset going forward. And as with every trade, these two come with specific needs and hopes for each team.

Let’s take a look at both of these trade options, starting with one that could move us even further up in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Next: Dallas trades with Memphis