Dallas Mavericks now have former All-Star buyout candidate to fill PG void

The Dallas Mavericks pulled off one of the biggest trades of the year by acquiring Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets. They desperately wanted a second star, and the Mavs found one in Kyrie. The 6’2 guard raises the team’s ceiling even if it makes them a bit more combustible. Irving is one of the best playmakers in the world, and he should be a fantastic fit next to Luka Doncic in Dallas.

The Mavs searched for moves on deadline day to round out their roster, but they could not find anything that worked. The Mavericks have just two ball-handlers on their roster, and they need some wing depth after trading away Dorian Finney-Smith to get Kyrie. Dallas hunted, but there was no move to be made.

The Mavs are expected to be active in the buyout market, and one potential target was confirmed on Friday afternoon as Rockets general manager Rafael Stone made it clear that they intend to buyout five-time All-Star point guard John Wall. Will the Mavericks target him to be their third point guard?

Dallas Mavericks now have a former All-Star buyout candidate to fill PG void

The Mavs have only had two playmakers all season. It started with Luka Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie. Now, they have Kyrie Irving, but Dallas sent Dinwiddie to Brooklyn to make the trade work. Dallas needs a third option. They tried Facundo Campazzo and Kemba Walker, but neither worked out.

General manager Nico Harrison threw cold water on the team’s need for a playmaker (subscription required) in an interview with Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News. He said the front office is focused on wing depth in the buyout market. Harrison noted Josh Green could fill that third ball-handler role.

Owner Mark Cuban said something similar about Frank Ntilikina before the season. Dallas still needs another playmaker that can play spot minutes off the bench and increase his run when Doncic or Irving is out. John Wall would be the perfect target because he would give the Mavs a downhill attacking threat that can run the offense and make plays.

Wall will have multiple suitors after he is bought out by the Houston Rockets. The 32-year-old still has plenty left in the tank, but would he be willing to accept a spot role where some nights he is a DNP-CD behind Luka and Kyrie?

The Dallas Mavericks will be active in the buyout market, but will they be able to land an impactful rotation player? Stay tuned to find out.