Dallas Mavericks: Why Victor Oladipo is the perfect trade target

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Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic Victor Oladipo (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Why Victor Oladipo is the perfect trade target for Dallas Mavericks: 2. Defense

Oladipo’s 2017-2018 breakout season vaulted him into a star. He improved on both ends of the floor, but Oladipo was a strong defender back to his days in Orlando. He made his first All-Defensive team in 2018 with the Pacers. He also rated as the 17th best defender in the NBA by ESPN’s defensive real plus-minus that season.

FiveThirtyEight’s defensive RAPTOR says Oladipo kept that production up in his limited sample this year. He ranks 21st in the league at plus 3.3.

The Dallas Mavericks produced the best offensive rating in NBA history this season. Every team struggles to stop Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. They are just 17th in defensive rating, though. The three title favorites all rank inside the top five. Porzingis is a capable rim protector and defensive anchor in the paint. Dallas needs to improve on the perimeter.

Adding Oladipo gives them one of the best at that. Coupling him with Dorian Finney-Smith should vault the Mavericks up the ranking. VO is also one of the best in the NBA at creating steals. The Mavs ranked 28th in that category this season. Oladipo provides a massive defensive upgrade for the Mavericks.

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