The Smoking Cuban
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Can the Dallas Mavericks Help LeBron James with the Sting of Game 1?

By Kohl Rast

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 31: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles in the closing seconds of regulation as LeBron James #23 attempts direct the offense against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 31: JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles in the closing seconds of regulation as LeBron James #23 attempts direct the offense against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 31, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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The pains of LeBron James after scoring 51 points in game one of the NBA Finals and still losing must have been extensive as he watched J.R. Smith dribble out the clock in a tied basketball game. Can the Dallas Mavericks help ease that pain this summer?

Every time LeBron James loses an NBA Finals game, there is something that someone could have done better to push the team over the edge. However, that thing that could’ve been done better is rarely more obvious than it was in game 1 of these finals.

As J.R. Smith dribbled out the clock and took the game to overtime, the look on LeBron’s face said everything you needed to know. Now James is a pretty forgiving person and maybe he will allow JR to stick around and give him another chance, but if LeBron wants to stay in Cleveland and really give the team a shot, he may have to part with some friends and move to players that really help the cause.

The Dallas Mavericks may be the right team for the job in that case.

I outlined a trade between the Dallas Mavericks an Cleveland Cavaliers a little while back that was all about getting off the Tristan Thompson contract, but, if the Cavs want to lose the memory of J.R. Smith costing them home court advantage in the NBA Finals, the focus could change to him.

The Mavs could offer Wesley Matthews, Dwight Powell, and the 33rd pick in this year’s draft in exchange for J.R. Smith, Jordan Clarkson, and the 8th pick. This trade would work salary wise, and would give the Cavs a veteran wing who can help take some of the pressure off LeBron. Wes Matthews is exactly the type of player that would work well with James.

This trade would only work if the Cavaliers knew LeBron James was coming back, as it would add a proven veteran and a young big man to a team in need of some changes. The Cavs would probably want to move Tristan Thompson as well, but Powell would be best as an energy guy off the bench.

Dallas would have to take on the terrible J.R. contract and the not as terrible Jordan Clarkson contract, but would get two picks in the lottery this year, which would give them the chance to pair a Bamba/Jackson with a Porter/Bridges (either one). This trade would be great for the Mavs going forward and may be a good step towards helping Cleveland get over the Golden State hump.

Next: Should the Mavericks Re-Sign Nerlens Noel?

Either way, at least it would get J.R. Smith safely away from LeBron James and the rest of the Cavaliers, right?