Bleacher Report misses mark with nonsensical Dallas Mavericks trade ideas

The Dallas Mavericks must improve their roster after missing the postseason. Luka Doncic is an annual first-team All-NBA player in his prime, and his team should not be missing the playoffs. The Mavs need to upgrade their defense, rebounding, rim protection, and overall depth if they want to be back in the postseason and have a chance to go on a run.

Dallas is facing another key offseason. Kyrie Irving is an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any team. The Mavericks must bring him back and improve around their two stars, but they will have limited assets to do so. Cap space is non-existent if Kyrie returns, and Dallas has just two first-round picks to trade.

The front office will have to get creative to make the necessary improvements. That will mean taking some risks, but there would be extreme amounts of danger if the Mavericks pull off the latest Bleacher Report hypotheticals.

Bleacher Report misses the mark with nonsensical Dallas Mavericks trade ideas

B/R took a look at bold moves that teams need to make, and they correctly hit on what the Mavericks need this offseason, but their execution takes the risk to the extreme.

The first move has Dallas giving away another valuable 3-and-D wing to make an upgrade, but one that costs the Mavs their 2023 first-round pick.

Dallas only keeps their first-rounder this year if it is in the top ten, so Caruso is worth Bullock and a top ten pick? The 6’4 guard is an excellent defender, but he averaged 5.6 points per game last season and played over 23 minutes per game for just the second time in his career. Bullock averaged 30 minutes and shot 16 percent better from 3-point range.

Caruso is three years younger and a better defender, but he is not a top-ten pick better. The Mavericks would be better off drafting a young 3-and-option in the draft and having two capable rotation pieces instead of one. That was not the worst trade the B/R suggested.

In a second move to “help” the Mavericks, they acquire Jonathan Isaac from the Magic. See the particulars below.

The idea of the 6’11 forward is exactly what the Mavericks need. He has length, can protect the rim, defend multiple positions, and provide defense all over the floor. The problem lies with his availability. Isaac has played 11 games in the last three seasons combined. 45 if you stretch it out to four seasons.

The latest injury was a torn adductor in February that ended his comeback season after just 124 minutes on the floor. Isaac has $7.6 million of his $17.4 million contract guaranteed for next season, and his entire salary has yet to guarantee for the 2024-2025 season. The Mavs could take a flier and hope to get him healthy, but not the cost of a first-round pick.

This trade made makes no sense for the Dallas Mavericks. Yes, they get off of Bertans' contract, which has $23 million guaranteed on it over the next two seasons, but with just two first-round picks to trade, Dallas cannot afford to risk one on a player that has played 124 minutes in four seasons combined. That cannot happen or it would be disastrous for the Mavericks.

Dallas needs to do everything they can to keep Luka Doncic happy. They do not want to be the franchise that is known for trading an all-time great player because they could not build a contending roster around him. To avoid it, the Mavs need to hit on their moves this offseason, and trading for Jonathan Isaac will just blow up in their faces.

What will the Dallas Mavericks do this summer to improve their roster? Stay tuned to find out.