10 Way-too-early 2024 trade deadline candidates Mavericks should monitor

6. DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan is playing the best basketball of his career. The six-time All-Star averaged 24.5 points, 5.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 36.2 minutes per game last season as he shot 50.4 percent from the field. The 34-year-old is unstoppable in the mid-range and has dropped over 20 points per game for ten straight years.

The 6’6 wing is entering the final year of his contract, and the Bulls are at a crossroads. Lonzo Ball is already out for the season, and Zach LaVine is back in the rumors. If Chicago decides to move on LaVine, DeRozan will almost certainly be traded before February’s deadline.

The Dallas Mavericks need another combo forward as they do not have a true small forward on their roster. Grant Williams is primarily a four. Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, and Seth Curry are best at the two. Dallas could look to add someone with size before the deadline, but DeRozan is not the perfect fit.

Dallas would again be trading one first-round pick and two second-rounders for the expiring contract of an All-Star. That is a bold move, but the Mavericks could try to make a deep postseason run with a Big 3. Their defense would be questionable, and DeRozan’s scoring would be a bit muted by the Mavs' current stars. Still, the deal is worth exploring if the six-time All-Star becomes available.