Mavericks must act on past trade talk for enforcer while the opportunity's hot

After falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder by a score of 118-104 earlier this week, the Dallas Mavericks have landed back on earth and are back where they started. While players like Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Naji Marshall had solid games, superstars Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic ultimately got clamped up, which resulted in the blowout loss.

Dallas was without P.J. Washington entering Tuesday's vital NBA Cup quarterfinal game, who has proven to be the team's X-factor this season. Without Washington on the floor, Dallas is a combined 1-5 and this includes the loss to the Thunder.

While Washington has dazzled this season being the third fiddle to Irving and Doncic, his emergence has made an alarming hole off the bench for the Mavericks considering no one else has stepped up to provide an impact that is even close to what he's bringing. It's no secret that the Mavericks have lacked a four off the bench, which has come to the team's detriment when Washington misses time.

Despite Prosper's emergence off the bench over the last few games, Dallas still lacks forward presence in a reserve role. With this in mind, the Mavs' next trade target could be one fans are already familiar with.

Isaiah Stewart can become Dallas' missing link off the bench

Fans have pondered Dallas getting a backup four since the team finalized its roster in early October. While the Mavericks failed to acquire a backup four at the time, the team had Prosper and Maxi Kleber in reserve roles.

With Kleber struggling on the floor and to stay healthy, the Mavs have had to rely on Prosper who has been better than expected but is still miles away from where we need him to be. With this in mind, Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart could be a trade target that Nico Harrison and company should consider when the deadline inches closer.

In his time in Detroit, Stewart has been known as an enforcer who hasn't backed down from the league's biggest stars. At one point Stewart even had beef with the league's biggest star, LeBron James.

While Stewart hasn't been the most consistent player since joining the league, he has yet to play a consistent meaningful role on a meaningful team. Not only has the fifth-year veteran been in past trade rumors with Dallas that were described as serious, but he has yet to play for a Detroit squad that finishes with a record above .500.

Stewart's addition would not only give the Mavericks much-needed depth at the four spot, but it could reignite the former Washington Huskies career.

A big reason Dallas has yet to swing on a player like Stewart is likely due to the asking price; however, the bargain price for Stewart could be at an all-time low after the forward has struggled to contribute during the first quarter of the season. He is also in the first year of a four-year, $60 million deal, and him playing so poorly this early into the contract may force the Pistons to want to trade him.

According to HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto, executives from around the association believe that Stewart will be on the trading block due to the fact that he is "starting a four-year, $60 million contract this season while coming off the bench for the first time since his rookie season." These rumors may only get hotter as the trade deadline approaches, and the Mavs' best time to strike might be right now.

This season, Stewart is averaging 6.1 points per game on 55.4 percent shooting from the field. Despite his efficient numbers, Stewart has struggled to have the same impact from behind the arc as he has done in the past with him shooting 25 percent from three this season.

Not only could the fifth-year veteran's struggles drive his asking price lower but it could be the best time to acquire the struggling big man. Stewart has been a constant pest throughout his career and that is arguably the one thing that Dallas is missing from this lineup.

Throughout his career, Stewart has been known as an offensive weapon who can score at will from anywhere on the floor when dialed in. Adding him alongside Doncic and Irving could be the fire Stewart needs to reignite his career.

While nothing is confirmed when it comes to Dallas' interest in Stewart this season, he has become a name to monitor over the last few seasons.