Mavericks trade for Rudy Gobert in hypothetical deal: Should they do it?

Will the Dallas Mavericks trade for Rudy Gobert or a third star this offseason?

Will the Dallas Mavericks actually make this trade in the offseason? Expect GM Donnie Nelson and company to be working the phones. They should explore every avenue to improve their roster.

Dallas has something special right now. Luka Doncic is in the MVP conversation as a 21-year-old. He looks like a bonafide superstar. The type that can become the best player in the NBA during his peak. Kristaps Porzingis is 24 years old. The All-Star still has not reached his prime. The Mavericks need to capitalize on both player’s peaks by putting the best possible team around them.

Rudy Gobert is a unique player. The Mavs have the best offensive rating in the NBA this season but struggle on the defensive end. Gobert gives them an annual Defensive Player of the Year candidate. The Mavericks want shooters around Luka, though. Gobert has missed all three 3-point attempts he has taken over his seven-year NBA career.

The 7’1 center provides vertical spacing, but is that the way Dallas wants to go long-term? Kristaps Porzingis would be back to playing the four. The Mavericks need to balance which player gets to be the primary roll man.

The odds of the Dallas Mavericks trading for Rudy Gobert are about five percent at this writing. That went up from the last time we explored this topic. The Jazz would need more friction between their two stars to trade away Gobert. The Mavs winning the sweepstakes seems unlikely too. Expect Dallas to have more interest if Gobert becomes a free agent in 2021.

Expect the Mavericks to be working the market this offseason. Who they acquire is the unknown.