Dallas Mavericks trade future picks for guard, Delon Wright

The Dallas Mavericks interest in guard, Delon Wright was well noted leading up to today’s trade, but the expectation was that it was a long shot. Too bad they didn’t put odds down, because that long shot just landed.

The Dallas Mavericks have (unofficially) acquired point guard, Delon Wright, from the Memphis Grizzlies in a sign-and-trade, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The deal will have the Mavs send two second-round picks to the Grizzlies in exchange for Wright.

The Mavs will reportedly be getting Wright on a three year, $29 million contract, averaging just under $9 million per year. Wright is 27 years old and just coming off the best stretch of basketball of his career where he averaged 12.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in 26 games with the Memphis Grizzlies.

This is an interesting deal for the Mavs who are clearly very convinced that Wright can continue his hot play into this season. Wright comes to Dallas as a strong defensive guard and playmaker, but with a big question mark next to his shooting ability.

Truthfully, the Mavericks interest in Wright likely stems from his back-to-back triple-doubles against the Mavs at the end of last season. Seeing a guy that is capable of doing everything is something that always seems to interest the Mavs and that fits with Wright.

Dallas will need to determine exactly how they are going to throw lineups on the court next year now. Delon Wright next to Luka Doncic does not make a lot of sense, but Carlisle has been able to make crazier things work in the past. Wright makes sense as a starter defensively, but his playmaking ability would seem to fit better as the leader of the second unit.

The assumption at this point is that Wright will be in the starting lineup, although nothing will be clear until we get closer to the regular season. Regardless of how it all works, it is nice seeing the Mavs making moves.

Dallas now has 14 roster spots filled and around $14 million in cap space. There is still time to make one more big splash, but it will have to come soon so they can start making contracts official.