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

Why the Dallas Mavericks would trade for Fred VanVleet

The Mavs reached the conference finals last season with Jalen Brunson starting next to Luka Doncic in the backcourt. Head coach Jason Kidd used two ball handlers on the floor, and the team was difficult to stop.

VanVleet is arguably a better player than Brunson. Both are undersized point guards, but the current Raptors guard is arguably a better scorer and defender. VanVleet is averaging 19.1 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 36.7 minutes per game this season. He is not the most efficient scorer, but the 2022 All-Star would get plenty of open looks playing off Luka Doncic. Fans could see the best version of FVV in Dallas, and he would instantly put the Mavericks back in the conversation with the best teams in the Western Conference.

Acquiring Fred VanVleet would be a massive swing for the Mavs, and it would limit their future flexibility, but they need to find Luka a co-star. FVV is in his prime and was just an All-Star last season. Acquiring him gives the Mavericks a chance to make a second straight deep playoff run, and puts them in a position to be in the hunt for the foreseeable future.

Trade Grade: A-minus

Will the Dallas Mavericks make a massive splash before the Feb. 9 trade deadline? Fans are waiting patiently to see what the front office can pull off, and stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest.