Mavs’ choice to pass on tempting trade is aging like fine wine amid recent rumors

Right before the Dallas Mavericks' end-of-season run last season, it was clear that they needed one more forward with some size to help solidify their frontcourt for the final part of the season.

Dallas' project with Grant Williams was not working, as his hot start to the regular season quickly cooled off, and they wanted to get their hands on a bigger forward who had the ability to create off the dribble. They ended up pulling the trigger on a trade for P.J. Washington with the Charlotte Hornets, which has worked out beautifully so far, but there were also some other forwards that they showed interest in making a move for as well.

Dallas was heavily interested in Kyle Kuzma and they nearly pulled off a trade for him before Kuzma virtually vetoed the deal himself, and they were also interested in Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors. The Mavericks didn't make a trade for either player, but arguably the most intriguing player they showed interest in was another wing in the Western Conference.

Dallas registered a level of interest in Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers about a month before the trade deadline, and he is someone who could have been a great fit if they didn't trade for Washington. The Mavs' interest in Grant actually persisted into the offseason as well, but they ultimately never ended up making a move for him.

Passing on a trade for Grant was a masterclass by Dallas

Trading for Grant was likely tempting at the time due to the excellent scoring, shooting, and length he would have brought to the frontcourt, but the rumors surrounding the Blazers and how they've handled his trade market show exactly why he hasn't been moved yet.

There were rumors that Portland was asking for two first-round picks from teams in a deal for Grant at first, and after hearing the newest trade intel, it looks like Dallas dodged a major bullet by staying away from him at the trade deadline last season and over the summer.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Grant has drawn consistent trade interest into this season, but there has been a general disagreement when it comes to how Portland values him compared to the rest of the league. While Portland still wants two first-round picks for him, the league values him as only worth one first-round pick. Scotto also added that "some teams also view Grant’s contract as a neutral asset."

Considering that Grant is in the first year of a five-year, $160 million deal, that's definitely a fair assessment of his contract, and the Mavericks were right all along about his trade value. They never made a move for him that included them being forced to give up multiple first-round picks, and it sounds like Portland is drawing straws at this point when it comes to his asking price.

Dallas not falling for Portland's high asking price was a great move, and it seems like the thoughts from others around the league seem to echo that feeling. Grant making $32 million on average per year over the next five years is a big commitment for any team, and the Mavericks not making a move for him is aging well considering the regression we have seen from him from a statistical standpoint this season.

Grant is averaging 15.0 points per game while shooting 38.2 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from downtown, and the biggest concern about his game has been his efficiency from inside the arc. He is shooting 38.3 percent on twos this season, and that is a major dip from the 47.4 percent that he shot on these same shots last season.

While Grant's dip in statistics could be partially due to a lack of volume as he is shooting three shots per game less this season compared to last season, it's undeniable that he is having a slow start to the season. He has already battled some injuries, and that's another reason that Dallas was smart to have stayed away.

The injury bug has hit Dallas hard this season, and having another player who is known to miss significant time every year would have been a recipe for disaster. The Mavericks are trying desperately hard to keep their heads above water in a loaded Western Conference right now, and regardless of Grant's excellent length, versatility, and 3-point shooting, Dallas is lucky they stuck to their guns and didn't make a move for him.

This doesn't mean that Grant couldn't fill a need on this team at some point down the road, as the Mavs certainly need frontcourt depth, but it would have to be the perfect trade at the perfect time.