Mavericks' 'sleeper' trade target would solve their newfound Anthony Davis problem

As soon as the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie on February 1, everything changed in Big D in the blink of an eye.

Mavericks fans were more upset than they ever have been once they got the news that their superstar was heading west to Los Angeles, as Nico Harrison gave up on Doncic less than a year after he led Dallas to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. The rage within the hearts of Mavericks fans from the aftershock of the Doncic trade likely won't die down any time soon unless the Mavericks can find a way to win a title with Davis and Kyrie Irving leading the way next season, and even then, fans would still be upset that Doncic wasn't on the squad to experience it.

He was a true Maverick, but Harrison didn't care about that.

The Doncic trade has caused more problems than Harrison and Patrick Dumont could have ever imagined, on and off the floor, and Harrison is going to have the chance to get things right this summer.

A Cam Johnson trade would fix Mavericks' shooting woes immediately

Fans will find out where the Mavericks will pick in this summer's NBA Draft after the draft lottery tonight, and the other places that Dallas can improve their roster this offseason will be in the trade market and free agency. While Dallas' trade assets are limited, Harrison has proved that he is never afraid to be aggressive to acquire the players he wants, and one player who could end up being available from the Eastern Conference would help get rid of one of Dallas' biggest problems that has plagued them ever since the trade for Davis.

Sir Charles in Charge's Michael Saenz recently released a "sleeper trade target" for every team in the NBA, and he listed Cameron Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets as the player the Mavericks should pursue. Dallas' 3-point shooting was undoubtedly a problem from the time of the Doncic-Davis trade until the end of the season (last in 3-pointers made per game (11.4) and 21st in 3-point percentage (32.5) after February 2), and bringing in a player like Johnson would help flip the script.

The Mavericks are desperate for more shooting since Harrison is set on running a big-big lineup with either Davis and Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford on the floor together, and if they were to pull off a trade with Brooklyn for Johnson, they'd be adding one of the best frontcourt shooters in the NBA. Jason Kidd could also play Johnson at the four and Davis at the five in certain lineups, and that would give opposing teams fits.

Last season for the Nets, Johnson averaged 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting a career-high 47.5 percent from the field and 39 percent from downtown on a career-high 7.2 3-pointers attempted per game, showing that he can put up big numbers when given the volume. Johnson is the definition of a 3-point assassin with his lightning-fast release and high release point, and he would get Dallas' spacing right back to where it needs to be.

Johnson's ability to knock down threes off the catch while he's wide open or when coming off an off-ball screen is remarkable, as he doesn't need much space to get his shot off and plays with great confidence. Outside of his shooting, Johnson is a good scorer in transition and an underrated off-ball cutter, and he thrives when he is playing next to a good point guard.

On the other end of the floor, Johnson offers some versatility and he is a solid off-ball defender, two things that players who thrive in Kidd's system on defense must have. He is a competitor, and it seems like he would fit right in on the Mavs as their defensive scheme is all about effort and communication.

Getting Johnson to Dallas may not be easy, though, as the Nets have valued him highly in the past and he has two years remaining on his deal at about $21.5 million per year, but it's not impossible. If the Mavericks were somehow able to jump into the top four of the draft, they could explore trades with Brooklyn if they wanted to trade up to secure Johnson and other first-round draft capital.

It would be a trade that would likely intrigue both sides, and Johnson is the exact type of forward the Mavericks can play next to Davis or their other bigs to help them get back on the right track. Johnson seems like the type of player who would thrive in the playoffs as a third or fourth option, and Davis would likely be jumping for joy if Harrison traded for Johnson to play next to him.

Their wing depth would no longer be an issue, and their concerning 3-point shooting would undoubtedly improve. This is the type of move in the shadows that could help the Mavericks significantly, and it may just make too much sense for Harrison to say no.