Are there trades to be made this year or is this the Mavericks roster?

The Dallas Mavericks have started out the year with a strong showing and also some room for improvement. Do they have a trade to be made this season?

The Dallas Mavericks started the season with two straight wins. That is an accomplishment they have not had in quite some time. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis have combined for a total of 167 points throughout the first three games of the 2019 campaign. The duo is set, but certain role players have not solidified their place in the future for the Mavs.

Never say never when it comes to transactions in pro sports because at the right price, anyone is available. December 15th is when the Mavericks can start moving anyone on the roster.

From out of nowhere, Courtney Lee shocked Mavs fans by getting the start on opening night. This could be an opportunity for the veteran to build up his trade value up. Lee’s expiring contract and veteran presence will intrigue some teams that are looking to shed cap or to add depth on the wing.

Another player that has yet to see a plethora of minutes and could excite some teams by the deadline is Justin Jackson. Although I don’t really see this happening, the Mavericks have their “glue guy,” in Dorian Finney-Smith at the wing position. The main reason Jackson would be moved is because of his upside and age.

This is a big “if,” remembering there hasn’t been much noise on a player that could fit in as the third piece.

Currently, the Golden State Warriors are leading the league in 3-point field goal percentage made against them at 51.6. If the Dubs are serious about getting things together, Courtney Lee would be a great fit for perimeter defense as D’Angelo Russell and Stephen Curry are nonexistent on that side of the ball.

Invest in the youth

In this scenario, the Warriors would receive a defender that can come off the bench and help improve a deficiency.

The Dallas Mavericks would benefit from this by making room for a possible Josh Reaves call up to the active roster and continue the youth movement. Reaves played fantastic basketball in the summer league and showed flashes of NBA talent.

Lee’s expiring deal at the end of the season would rid Golden States’ hands of any long term commitment to a player entering his mid 30’s.

While opening up a roster spot, a second-round pick in 2022 can be flipped around and used in a deal for a player that is liked by the Dallas Mavericks. We are still in the early stages of the season, but it is highly unlikely that this will be the same roster at the beginning of the playoffs.