Grade the Trade: How the Dallas Mavericks could pull off a deal for Fred VanVleet

Building a Fred VanVleet trade for the Dallas Mavericks

Toronto wants future assets, but they are unlikely to blow up their roster entirely at the trade deadline. That means the Raptors will not want to take back negative salary. The Mavs won't be able to trade away Davis Bertans or Tim Hardaway Jr. in a deal for Fred VanVleet. The 28-year-old point guard will have a massive market, and the Mavericks would have to win a bidding war. Here is what a potential deal could look like if the two sides do agree.

Theo Pinson can veto a trade because he signed a one-year deal, but he is unlikely to do so. Dallas gives up Josh Green and two first-round picks plus the expiring contracts of Dwight Powell, Frank Ntilikina, and Pinson to get Fred VanVleet and Junacho Hernangomez. The Mavericks need a big man if they trade Powell, so sending back Bo Cruz made the most sense.

Dallas could also send Christian Wood’s expiring contract as part of the package, but the Mavericks cannot replace his production. Wood is currently the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder. They want to contend this season, so keeping the maximum amount of talent made the most sense.

It is going to cost a hefty price to acquire Fred VanVleet from the Toronto Raptors, so why would the Dallas Mavericks pay it?