Dallas Mavericks: 5 stars they should’ve acquired over Kristaps Porzingis

Star Dallas Mavericks should have acquired over Kristaps Porzingis: 5. James Harden

Harden was arguably the best player that has been traded since the Mavs acquired Kristaps Porzingis. They were not convincing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to come to Dallas in free agency, but Dallas could have offered something similar to Nets package for Harden if the Porzingis trade did not exist. Having Luka and Harden on the Mavericks would give them the best backcourt in the NBA.

The rival Houston Rockets likely would have not dealt Harden to Dallas. He led the Rockets to the playoffs eight straight years before being traded in January 2021. No way the Rockets brass wanted to watch Harden dominate their squad four times a year.

Trading for James Harden means Luka Doncic would have played his first two seasons without a second star. Owner Mark Cuban and the Mavericks front office did not want to wait that long. They took a shot on a young former All-Star, and it has not worked out as planned. Still, it is a blast to think about a Doncic and Harden backcourt. They would have featured a truly elite offense, but experts would question their defense.

The Dallas Mavericks should have acquired James Harden over Porzingis, even if they had to wait two valuable seasons to make it happen. The Beard gives them a true second superstar and would have made Dallas instant title contenders.

Next: No. 4