Mavericks' shot creation problem has a trade answer that's not too far away

Far too often this past season, the Dallas Mavericks' offense looked stagnant. Their lack of shot creation was glaring, particularly when defenses loaded up 19-year-old rookie phenom Cooper Flagg. Fortunately for Dallas, there are several ways to address that weakness this offseason, and the trade market may offer the most realistic solution.

Why Aaron Wiggins could become a trade candidate

The Oklahoma City Thunder is the team that could hold the answer. With an increasingly expensive roster and a precarious financial situation ahead, Oklahoma City may not be able to keep every talented contributor. That could make Aaron Wiggins an intriguing trade target for a Mavericks team desperate for additional offensive creation.

Just three hours north of Dallas, the closest geographic team to the Mavs, the Thunder may be sitting on Dallas' solution. Despite Oklahoma City's deep postseason run, Aaron Wiggins received a DNP-CD in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals (his second of the playoffs), highlighting how expendable he could become as the Thunder navigate their increasingly crowded and expensive roster.

Yet, the DNP-CDs tell only part of the story. After averaging 21.8 minutes per game during the regular season, Wiggins saw his role nearly disappear in the playoffs, logging just 5.8 minutes per contest. Of course, rotations are squeezed in the postseason, especially for deep teams like Oklahoma City. Still, the drop-off is notable. Just one year earlier, Wiggins averaged 13.8 playoff minutes during the Thunder's championship run and even saw his role expand in the NBA Finals.

As a result, Wiggins emerges as one of Oklahoma City's most logical trade candidates. With one of the NBA's most expensive rosters set to get even costlier in the coming years, the Thunder likely views Wiggins' $9 million salary as a luxury rather than a necessity.

Considering Oklahoma City also possesses multiple first-round picks and a pipeline flush with young talent, replacing a player like Wiggins won't be all that difficult.

Wiggins would help solve the Mavericks' shot creation problem

For the Mavericks, Wiggins would be much more of a necessity than anything. The 6-foot-5 wing shot 49.2 percent from beyond the arc just three seasons ago, and has shot north of 35.5 percent in each of the past two campaigns. He'd step right in and immediately help solve Dallas' floor-spacing woes with his deep shotmaking ability.

Moreover, Wiggins' ability to create offense off the dribble would fill a glaring need for Dallas. Roughly half of his shot attempts this past season came after taking at least one dribble, proving he's not merely a standstill shooter. He converted nearly 50 percent of those looks, a mark that highlights his effectiveness as a secondary creator and his ability to keep an offense from becoming stagnant.

The Maryland product isn't exactly known as an offensive engine, but there are only so many touches to go around on a roster as talented as Oklahoma City's. A move to Dallas could provide Wiggins with a larger offensive role and more opportunities to create with the ball in his hands.

He's already established himself as an efficient scorer, and increased responsibility could reveal another layer to his offensive game while also helping address one of the Mavericks' biggest weaknesses.

Recent Mavericks-Thunder trades make a Wiggins deal realistic

A potential deal between Dallas and Oklahoma City wouldn't be far-fetched, either. The two franchises have completed four trades this decade, demonstrating a willingness to work together when mutually beneficial opportunities arise.

Most notably, the Mavericks and Thunder orchestrated the draft-night deal in 2023 that sent Cason Wallace to Oklahoma City and ultimately landed Dereck Lively II in Dallas. The two sides most recently exchanged draft picks in 2024, further illustrating the active relationship between the front offices.

All in all, Wiggins represents an intriguing trade target for the Mavericks. He addresses Dallas' need for additional shot creation, offers positional versatility on the wing, and plays for an organization that has frequently worked with the Mavericks in recent years.

Perhaps most importantly, Oklahoma City's looming salary concerns could make a valuable player like Wiggins available, creating an opportunity where Dallas can strike.

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