Why trading for a star player could make the Dallas Mavericks worse

The Dallas Mavericks want to upgrade their roster before the Feb. 9 trade deadline, and they are searching for a second star to pair with Luka Doncic. The front office is open to ideas, and they are even shopping Dorian Finney-Smith, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania (subscription required). Dallas appears to be open to moving anyone not named Doncic if they can acquire another All-Star.

For the Mavericks to be true title contenders, they must find Luka a co-star. It will be difficult to compete with the Celtics, Warriors, Bucks, Sixers, Nuggets, and Grizzlies if Dallas does not have a second star. The LA Clippers knocked the Mavs out of the playoffs two straight years because they had Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Dallas needs that one-two punch, and they will have to trade to acquire the second piece of it.

The Mavericks only have two first-round picks available to trade before the deadline, so they will have to sweeten their offer with talented players. Dorian Finney-Smith is likely their top trade chip at the deadline, but acquiring a second star might not improve the team in the short term. Here are three reasons why.

Dallas Mavericks will have holes and be unable to fill them

It will take all of the Mavs tradeable assets to acquire a legitimate second star before the Feb. 9 trade deadline. Dallas will likely part with both first-round picks plus Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Green, and Tim Hardaway Jr. or Spencer Dinwiddie to make the salary-matching work.

The Mavs already have some clear needs ahead of the trade deadline. Acquiring a second star likely fills their need for another playmaker, especially if they can keep Dinwiddie, but Dallas will still have holes, and they won’t have the assets to fill them.

It will make the Mavericks worse in the short-term. Yes, they will have two stars, but the rest of their rotation will be cobbled together with the remaining pieces left on their roster after the trade.