Dallas Mavericks: Should they have interest in James Harden?

What would the Dallas Mavericks have to offer to get James Harden

As it stands, the Rockets have two solid options sitting in front of them between the Nets and 76ers to help salvage what has become an extremely sour situation. The question is whether the Mavericks even have enough to entice Houston if they want Harden.

Brooklyn has the advantage thanks to its ability to offer draft capital. In the Mavs’ case, they have used two first-round picks to acquire a once-disgruntled star in Kristaps Porzingis. This makes trying to match the Nets’ offer in terms of trading picks for Harden virtually impossible.

What other alternatives are there then? Well if the Rockets’ first option was to accumulate picks, they would have accepted the Nets offer by now. They have their sights on still being relevant in the present as well as having a foundation for the future as evidenced by their pursuit of Ben Simmons of the 76ers.

The Rockets value players over picks. This may be the Mavericks’ shot if they want Harden. Should the Sixers decide that the price of Simmons for Harden is too steep, the Mavericks could conceivably step in as legitimate suitors with their star in Kristaps Porzingis as trade bait.

Now this move might drive Mavs fans up a wall given the amount of patience they’ve practiced with KP and how much they were sold that the Doncic-Porzingis duo would take the league by storm for the next decade. However, if the Mavs are at all unsure about the reliability of the Latvian big man’s long term health, they could decide to get out in front of things and sell on him while his stock is still high.

A package deal of the Unicorn, a role player like Jalen Brunson, and some picks could be enough to entice Houston if Philly does indeed prove reluctant to give up Simmons.

Next: Should Mavs get Harden?