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

The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis in 2019. The 2018 All-Star was shockingly dealt while recovering from ACL surgery. The 23-year-olds of that talent on their rookie contracts do not become available. It was a stunning late January move that had featured multiple pieces.

The Mavs also acquired Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke, and Courtney Lee from the Knicks. In return, they sent Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, and two yet to be drafted first-round picks. The instant reaction had Dallas as overwhelming winners, but much has changed in the two-plus seasons since the trade.

Porzingis dealt with multiple injuries and the superstar duo Dallas envisioned has not materialized. The Mavericks were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs for two straight years, and there are questions about KP’s future with the franchise after his poor postseason showing. It was a monumental trade for the Mavs, but how would things be different if Dallas targeted someone else?

5 stars the Dallas Mavericks should have acquired over Kristaps Porzingis

There was no bigger name traded around the 2019 deadline than Porzingis, but that was still in the midst of Luka Doncic’s rookie season. The Mavericks could have waited until the offseason or beyond to attempt to acquire a second star. They did not want to because of how quickly the 22-year-old blossomed, but trading for someone else could have Dallas in prime title contention right now.

Here are five stars the Dallas Mavericks should have acquired over Kristaps Porzingis.

Next: No. 5

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

Star Dallas Mavericks should have acquired over Kristaps Porzingis: 4. Bradley Beal

Beal is the only player on this list that has not changed teams since 2019. The 28-year-old has played his entire nine-year NBA career with the Washington Wizards. He was in the playoffs four of his first six seasons before Washington went on a two-year drought. They fought their way through the play-in tournament this season but were bounced in the first round by the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.

Before Beal signed his extension in Oct. 2019, the Mavericks likely would have made a massive offer for his services. Remember, they were looking for a second young star to pair with Luka Doncic. Imagine Beal flying around and hitting threes. He is an elite scorer and shooter with plenty of playmaking chops. The Mavs would have offered top dollar, and it would have difficult for the Wizards to turn down.

The Dallas Mavericks should have acquired Bradley Beal over Kristaps Porzingis in 2019. They would almost certainly be title contenders right now if they did. Having the 6’3 wing flanking Luka would give Dallas an unstoppable offense. They would have a lot more versatility on the defensive end of the floor as well. Beal could be a free agent in 2022. Expect the Mavs to try to make a play for his services if he becomes available.

Next: No. 3

Star Dallas Mavericks should have acquired over Kristaps Porzingis: 3. Jrue Holiday

The Pelicans decided to trade Holiday at the start of this season. It became a massive four-team deal that saw New Orleans nab four first-round picks. They want to build a contender around Zion Williams. The Pelicans figured they needed to get younger and add more talent to accomplish that goal.

Dallas would have been hungry to add talent around Luka Doncic if they had waited for his entire first two seasons. There is no question they would have made a competitive offer for Jrue Holiday. The 31-year-old is an above-average shooter and playmaker. He would be the Mavericks’ secondary creator. Holiday’s elite perimeter defense is the perfect complement in the backcourt to the Mavs’ 22-year-old superstar.

Would New Orleans trade Holiday to their division rival? It would have likely cost Dallas even more to acquire him. The Pelicans would not have been eager to face the talented guard four times every year and may have been reluctant to make the deal.

The Dallas Mavericks should have waited and taken a swing on Jrue Holiday over acquiring Kristaps Porzingis. They would need more pieces to be the elite offensive team the Mavericks are, but their defense would be significantly improved with Holiday. Dallas would be better overall and in the hunt for the title, assuming their front office made a few ancillary moves along the way.

Next: No. 2

Star Dallas Mavericks should have acquired over Kristaps Porzingis: 2. Paul George

George seemed happy in Oklahoma City as the Thunder were on their way to the playoffs when the Mavericks acquired Kristaps Porzingis. OKC finished sixth in the Western Conference led by their dynamic backcourt duo of PG-13 and Russell Westbrook but were bounced in the first round of the playoffs by Portland Trail Blazers. In the offseason, George was sent to the Clippers to team with free-agent signee Kawhi Leonard.

Thunder GM Sam Presti would have made the Mavericks pay through the nose in draft picks, but Dallas should have acquired the 31-year-old wing over Porzingis. He is a seven-time All-Star and four-time All-Defensive selection. George is an elite scorer and shooter that can do everything on the basketball court. The Clippers have knocked Dallas out two straight years in the playoffs in part because their star duo outplayed the Mavericks.

This is the most reasonable acquisition on the list for Dallas. They could have acquired Paul George had they not traded for Kristaps Porzingis. The Mavericks front office had no way of knowing that he would become available, but Oklahoma City was going to accept the top dollar in the deal. Fans have seen plenty of skilled negotiating from Presti since as they attempt to rebuild through the draft. The Dallas Mavericks should have waited and acquired Paul George.

Next: No. 1

Star Dallas Mavericks should have acquired over Kristaps Porzingis: 1. Jimmy Butler

Months before the Mavs acquired Kristaps Porzingis, the Timberwolves traded Butler to Philadelphia for a package of Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round pick. Yes, Butler was going through a public divorce with Minnesota, but Dallas should have struck at that moment. They would have had the five-time All-Star for Dirk Nowitzki’s final season.

Butler is elite on both ends of the floor. He can average 20 points per game and play lockdown defense. The 31-year-old led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals inside the bubble. He was traded again at the start of the 2019-2020 season. It would have been more difficult for Dallas to acquire him at that point. He chose the Heat and to be part of a sign-and-trade.

The Dallas Mavericks would be better off if they acquired Jimmy Butler over Kristaps Porzingis. Yes, Butler is not an elite 3-point shooter, but his perimeter defense, tenacity, and all-around game would have the Mavs contending for titles.

The Mavericks did well in the Porzingis deal. Tim Hardaway Jr. blossomed in Dallas. Trey Burke has turned into a role play for the Mavs. Yes, KP has disappointed, but Dallas still won the deal. The problem is not making it would have given the Mavericks ample opportunities at another star, but closing those deals has been difficult for the organization.

Do not count them out. The best is still yet to come from the Dallas Mavericks led by Luka Doncic. Stay tuned to see how they improve the roster this offseason and where the Mavs go from here.