Trade or keep: 2 Dallas Mavericks eligible to be traded on Dec. 15

The Dallas Mavericks are finally catching fire, but they want to make another deep playoff run this season. That likely means upgrading their roster before the Feb. 9 trade deadline. Dallas made a key move last season when they swapped Kristaps Porzingis for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans which helped propel them to the conference finals. Can general manager Nico Harrison and the front office do it again?

The trade market is about to heat up as 16 percent of the league’s players become eligible to be traded on Dec. 15. Teams are unable to move players that signed in the offseason until that date, and it is the unofficial kick-off of trade season.

The Mavs have just two players that become eligible to be traded on Dec. 15. JaVale McGee and Theo Pinson were their two offseason signings. Dallas traded for Christian Wood, so he is eligible to be dealt now, and the Mavericks have an extension deadline in late December that could determine his long-term future with the team. Should Dallas deal away the two players that soon become eligible to be traded?

Should Dallas Mavericks trade or keep Theo Pinson after Dec. 15?

Pinson is the unofficial leader of the Mavs bench. The 6’5 wing always cheers on his teammates, and he is a fantastic locker-room presence. He joined the team on a ten-day contract last season, and the Mavericks kept him around because of what he added from the bench. Pinson has played just 24 minutes this season, and his on-court production will be limited moving forward.

The Mavs signed him to a one-year deal in the offseason, so Pinson is eligible to be traded on Dec. 15, but he has the right to veto any deal. Should Dallas try to deal him for someone that offers more on-court production?

Verdict: Trade Pinson

The Dallas Mavericks need to acquire another ball-handler and a center upgrade before the trade deadline. To accomplish that, they will need to match salaries in at least one trade. Pinson helps the team from the bench, but the Mavs need more on-court production to make another deep playoff run. They should be willing to including Pinson in any deal that improves their roster.

Should Dallas Mavericks trade or keep JaVale McGee after Dec. 15?

McGee’s time in Dallas has been a disappointment thus far. He was signed to improve the team’s rebounding and rim protection. Head coach Jason Kidd was quick to insert him into the starting five, but it did not last long. McGee has struggled in the Mavs defensive scheme, and he has already fallen out of the team’s rotation.

The seven-footer signed a three-year deal worth $17 million in the offseason, and the Mavericks used the majority of their taxpayer mid-level exception to convince him to choose Dallas. Just a few months in and that long-term deal for the 34-year-old is already looking like a massive mistake.

Verdict: Trade McGee

The Mavs should be uncovering every stone to trade JaVale McGee elsewhere. They are rumored to be searching for a center upgrade, and Dallas was even linked to Nerlens Noel on Dec. 8. The Mavericks should be hunting for an upgrade as they attempt to move McGee to a place where he can make a larger impact.

Will the Dallas Mavericks make a move before the Feb. 9 trade deadline? They want to build a title contender around Luka Doncic, and plugging a few holes may be enough to help Dallas make another deep playoff run. How far will the Mavs make it? Stay tuned to find out.