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Dallas Mavericks: Three Harrison Barnes trade ideas before deadline

By Kohl Rast

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 9: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on January 9, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 9: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on January 9, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – JANUARY 9: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on January 9, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JANUARY 9: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on January 9, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Dallas Mavericks made the biggest trade of the year and one of the biggest in franchise history last week when they landed Kristaps Porzingis from New York. Are the Mavs done, or is Harrison Barnes on the market?

As the first half of the season came and went and the back end of the Dallas Mavericks 82-game sprint began, it was clear that the team needed to change something. Luka Doncic has been the superstar the Mavs envisioned him to be, only he has done it even earlier than we could have ever expected.

After seeing what he is capable of already, the Mavs decided it was time to make yet another splash before the trade deadline. This time, however, the Mavs acquired a legitimate star when they traded for Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke is a nice haul for Dallas in place of Dennis Smith Jr., Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan.

When the Mavs did this, everyone knew it was a move for the future. Despite reports that Porzingis may take the qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent after next season, the truth is that Dallas knows a lot more than we do and it should be understood that Porzingis will be a Maverick for years to come.

The key for Dallas right now is to get players around Luka and KP for the future that fit well with their system. Based on Barnes’ play so far this year, there are a lot of players that could fit next to those two guys a lot better than HB can. For that reason, I think the Mavs will look to make a move.

Along with that, if Dallas wants any ounce of flexibility for free agency this summer, it will have to come with a Barnes and/or Dwight Powell move to clear up over $35 million in cap space. The Mavs will really have to think about that as a possibility.

Here are a few trade ideas from me personally that I think the Mavericks could look into before the deadline on Thursday.