Dallas Mavericks trade grade: Josh Richardson shipped to Boston

The Dallas Mavericks have their sights set on making a splash in free agency. Marc Stein rumored the organization to be eying re-signing Tim Hardaway Jr. and adding Kyle Lowry. The Mavs want to jump into title contention this summer and will need to make a splash in free agency to do so.

Dallas needs cap space to sign players. Dollars will be limited in future years because Luka Doncic is extension eligible this summer. The 22-year-old has one more year on his rookie deal before his salary will skyrocket. The added money will limit the Mavericks’ financial flexibility. They can create $32 million in space this offseason, but it means declining Willie Cauley-Stein’s player option and renouncing the rights to their current free agents.

The Mavericks solved a key piece of their cap space puzzle on July 30. According to Shams Charania, they shipped Josh Richardson to the Boston Celtics for Moses Brown and a trade exception. The deal allows J-Rich to exercise his $11.6 million player option and get a fresh start in Boston. How did the Mavs do in the deal?

Grading the Dallas Mavericks trading Josh Richardson to the Boston Celtics

The Mavs acquired Josh Richardson on draft night 2020 with a second-round pick from the Philadelphia 76ers for Seth Curry. They needed to improve their defense, but it cost Dallas one of the best shooters in the league. Curry played a key role in the Sixers have the best record in the Eastern Conference this season as J-Rich disappointed for the second straight year.

Here is a look at a grade for both the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks in the Josh Richardson for Moses Brown trade.

Next: Celtics grade for J-Rich deal

Boston Celtics grade for acquiring Josh Richardson from the Dallas Mavericks

The Celtics created a massive trade exception when they shipped Gordon Hayward to the Hornets in Nov. 2020. They used part of it to acquire Evan Fournier at the deadline, and the rest to grab Josh Richardson here. It allows Boston to add another rotation piece, but at the cost of a young talented big man that showed flashes in Oklahoma City.

The Celtics have been busy this summer. Danny Ainge retired with Brad Stevens going from head coach to president of basketball operations. Stevens traded Kemba Walker for Al Horford and Moses Brown during the playoffs before making multiple moves on July 30. They finished a three-team deal that allowed Boston to acquire Kris Dunn and Bruno Fernando prior to grabbing J-Rich from Dallas.

Richardson gives the Celtics some much-needed wing depth. The 27-year-old averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steal in 30.3 minutes per game last season. J-Rich should play a significant role in Boston next season. He is likely to start alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, and Al Horford as the Celtics look to grab a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference.

Boston Celtics grade for Josh Richardson trade with Dallas Mavericks: C

Boston improves next season by making this deal. Their trade exception would have gone to waste without it, but they had no reason to give up Brown. The Celtics add a veteran wing that has been a starter and key contributor on three different teams over the last five years. Yes, his time in Dallas did not go as planned, but Josh Richardson is still a talented player that will help the Celtics win. The grade drops to a C with inclusion of Brown.

Next: Mavs grade for J-RIch trade

Dallas Mavericks grade for sending Josh Richardson to Boston

The Mavs had to clear Richardson’s salary to chase free agents. His playing time decreased significantly in the playoffs and a fresh start was the best solution for both sides. J-Rich wanted to guarantee his $11.6 million salary for next season, so this trade was a win-win.

Dallas receives a trade exception in this deal, but they go to waste often in the NBA. It is difficult to call creating one anything other than a wait and see.

The addition of Moses Brown gives Dallas a talented rebounder, rim protector, and finisher inside on a value contract. He is set to make just $5.5 million total over the next three seasons. The deal is non-guaranteed each year, so the Mavs could move on quickly if things are not working out.

Dallas did not want to take back salary in the deal, but adding Brown was a zero risk move. If the Mavericks need the cap space, some team will quickly trade for him. Otherwise, Dallas will have a young talented big man as bench depth.

Dallas Mavericks grade for sending Josh Richardson to the Celtics: A-

New president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison’s first trade with the Dallas Mavericks turned into a spectacular move. They cleared Josh Richardson off their books and grabbed a young asset in the process. The addition of Moses Brown lifts the grade to an A-minus for the Mavs.

The Dallas Mavericks are far from done making moves, so keep checking back to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest.