Dejounte Murray would be the wrong trade answer to Mavericks' biggest problem

The Dallas Mavericks' need for a third scorer has been one of the main talking points since their embarrassing 39-point loss at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night. Dallas' supporting cast didn't give Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving enough support to take down the Timberwolves, who were missing Anthony Edwards, and a trade may be the best way to address their need for more shot creation and scoring.

Dallas needs a third scorer badly

Their lack of a third option looks like their biggest problem through 12 games, as they don't have a consistent option who can step up and give their star duo reliable scoring help. Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington are the only other players on the team averaging more than 10 points per game, and neither player is a good enough shooter or shot creator to solve this issue on their own.

They need a third option whose biggest strength is scoring and who can pick apart the defense when other teams double-team Kyrie and Coop. Someone who can create their own shots and knock down open 3-pointers would be ideal, as the Mavs need more players who can make defenses pay for loading up on the star duo.

Dejounte Murray's trade request could tempt the Mavericks

Less than 24 hours after Dallas' loss to Minnesota, New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray officially requested a trade, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Murray has career averages of 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, making the idea of Dallas trading for him at least intriguing.

He's no longer an All-Star-caliber player like he was for the San Antonio Spurs, but he still provides good playmaking, defense, and slashing in his tenth season. Murray would give the team a player who can run the offense while Flagg and Irving are on the bench.

Why Dallas should avoid trading for Murray

Despite this, the Mavericks shouldn't even think about trading for him.

Murray is set to make over $63.5 million over the next two seasons, with a player option for the 2027-28 season, and Dallas shouldn't be targeting a player in his 30s who's making over $30 million per season and struggles to stay healthy. He only played 45 games combined during the previous two seasons before this one, and the Mavs already have enough injury problems of their own.

He would give Dallas another shot creator, as his finishing around the basket, quickness, and mid-range jumper are all strong, but he struggles to make an impact without the ball. The Mavs have two players who thrive with the ball in their hands: Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.

The Mavericks should target someone else instead

It's hard to envision a world where he would be a strong complement to Flagg and Irving due to his poor 3-point shooting (30 percent from three on 4.9 attempts per game over the last three seasons), and a strong shooter who can score at all three levels would be a stronger fit than a two-way guard who can't shoot.

The Mavs' spacing already isn't the best, and Murray's underwhelming jumper wouldn't be a complementary fit next to two players who like to get to the paint.

Dallas is trying to build a future contender around Flagg, and they should be looking to trade for players on his timeline rather than veterans if they decide to make a deal before the trade deadline in February.

The Pelicans and Murray are working to find a resolution to Murray's trade request, meaning that a deal could be imminent. Dallas is not in a position to make a trade for Murray, regardless of how much they need a third option, and he should not be the answer to Dallas' glaring problem.

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