The Smoking Cuban
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Dallas Mavericks must make Parsons trade with Grizzlies

By Evan Siegel

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 10: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on March 10, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 10: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on March 10, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It is a rare occurrence to have the opportunity to have two picks inside the top five of the same draft. The Dallas Mavericks have that opportunity and should absolutely take advantage of it.

The Mavericks and Grizzlies have at least internally discussed the possibility of making a deal that would send the fourth overall pick in tomorrow’s draft along with Chandler Parsons to Dallas in exchange for Harrison Barnes. This deal is a move that the Mavericks should absolutely make and they shouldn’t be overly concerned with who is available at pick four or five.

Parsons’ contract is awful. Despite almost never being on the court with his recurring knee injuries, he is due $49 million over the next two seasons. The Mavs would be swallowing the entirety of this deal and would be a major hurdle to clear if they want to be active in free agency again.

The team could send Barnes to the Grizzlies however, and unload his $49 million to match the salaries. Making the deal with Barnes involved would not in fact hurt the Mavs’ salary cap situation over the next two years despite taking Parsons’ albatross of a deal.

The biggest concern with making this trade is letting go of Barnes, a player widely respected around the league because of his team-first attitude and attention to detail. While a skilled defender and useful all around player, Barnes is never going to be the player that the Mavs need to find to be another cornerstone next to Dennis Smith Jr.

Making this trade with the Grizzlies would give the Mavericks an extra top prospect to add to their young core. The team has been rumored to be interested in Luka Doncic, and moving up a spot without having to give up their original selection at number five is a home run. The team is in need of top-flight young talent to set them up for the post-Dirk era.

Deandre Ayton is a lock to go first to the Suns. Marvin Bagley III seems to be the consensus at No. 2 to the Kings, while Luka Doncic seems to take the cake at three. The Mavs have the opportunity to be ready to pull the trigger at No. 4 on Jaren Jackson Jr. as well as Mohamed Bamba immediately after.

Atlanta could decide to go in a different direction however and select Jackson Jr., who has been linked to the Hawks nearly as much as Doncic. There have also been rumblings of Michael Porter Jr. being considered by the Kings at No. 2. Doncic falling to the Mavs is a real possibility if they make this move.

The Mavs shouldn’t be as concerned about winning games next season as they appear to be. Losing Barnes doesn’t sound good, but unloading a solid player for a younger, potentially franchise-altering player makes sense.

If the Mavs are concerned about improving their record next season and threatening for a playoff spot however, the acquisition of Parsons shouldn’t be completely overlooked either.

While Parsons simply cannot stay on the court due to his injury, he isn’t the liability people make him out to be when he is on it. While extremely limited off the dribble and an inconsistent shooter, Parsons has the size, passing ability and experience to make a contribution. While his career seems to be in the toilet at the moment, the Mavs may be the only team he can go to that could revive his career.

For starters, Dallas has the league’s best team trainer in Casey Smith. Renowned around the league, Smith would help Parsons deal with his long-term knee issues and help him potentially stay on the court more than he otherwise would. Parsons’ familiarity with Rick Carlisle could help the veteran coach conform the offense to his strengths.

Next: Pros and cons of each top prospect for the Mavericks

More importantly for the Mavericks, having the opportunity to add the fourth and fifth best prospects in the country is an extremely rare opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up. Even a worst case scenario of Michael Porter Jr. and Jaren Jackson Jr. is extremely promising to add to a lineup already featuring Dennis Smith Jr. The Mavs should be ready to pull the trigger on this trade and get their rebuild going.