Mavericks caught massive break by not trading for star center after recent excuse

Over the summer, it was clear that the Dallas Mavericks wanted to upgrade at the center position.

On the day of the draft, Mark Cuban said that Dallas needed a rim protector, and they went out and drafted Dereck Lively II. Lively II has been everything that Dallas has needed out of their now backup center, but the Mavs were also in trade talks for a star center later that night that stalled.

After the Mavs made a trade with the Sacramento Kings that gave them Richaun Holmes and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, they reportedly tried to trade Holmes, Tim Hardaway Jr., and JaVale McGee for Deandre Ayton.

Mavericks caught massive break by not trading for star center after recent excuse

The Suns didn't want McGee as part of this deal, and later that offseason they dealt Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers. This season for Portland, Ayton is averaging 15.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, which are great numbers, but the Mavs caught a massive break by not trading for him.

Recently, Ayton attributed some of his early-season struggles to him sleeping on an air mattress. Not having a bed for a night or two is understandable, but Ayton making this an excuse for why he struggled early on is laughable.

The way that the world works today, Ayton could have ordered a bed online and got it to his house or apartment within days. This is an awful excuse, and this hasn't been Ayton's first excuse this season.

Even though Ayton has been playing great recently, the Mavs caught a break by not trading for him. They don't have to deal with his drama, and now they have one of the best center duos in the NBA in Lively II and Daniel Gafford.

This team could have looked much different if they made that trade for Ayton over the summer, and being free of his drama is a big positive.

The Dallas Mavericks' next game is tonight against the San Antonio Spurs.

For all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.