12 Dream trade deadline targets for the Dallas Mavericks (and what they'd cost)

The NBA trade deadline is approaching fast, and the Dallas Mavericks have been linked to several trade targets across the league, but haven't made a move yet.

Dallas has shown interest in shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards, and centers, but it sounds like their focus is upgrading at one of the forward spots.

Mavs owner Mark Cuban made it clear that they want a forward with some size who can handle the ball and create off the dribble, but it is unclear who their top target is.

12 Dream trade deadline targets for the Dallas Mavericks (and what they'd cost)

The Mavs seem extremely motivated to surround Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with the best possible lineup that they can, and some type of move at the trade deadline seems obvious at this juncture.

Here are 12 dream trade deadline targets for the Dallas Mavericks and how much it would cost to acquire them.

12. Bruce Brown

Cost to acquire him: One first-round pick and a rotation piece

The Dallas Mavericks were linked to Toronto Raptors guard Bruce Brown earlier this month, and the Maavs were also among teams that showed interest in Brown this summer during his free agency.

Brown was traded to the Toronto Raptors from the Indiana Pacers as part of the Pascal Siakam trade, and it seems likely that he could get moved again. The Raptors' asking price for Brown is reportedly a first-round pick and a rotation piece at the very least, and this is something the Mavs could offer if they are high on Brown.

The Mavs could trade their 2027 first-round pick and one of their key rotation players, but it has been reported that Dallas has been cautious about trading their 2027 first-round pick in the past. It's unclear if Dallas plans to include this pick in trade talks at the deadline, but the Mavs theoretically have the ammo to make a Bruce Brown trade happen with the Raptors.

Only time will tell if Dallas pushes to get Brown or if they will pursue a different player on this list.

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11. Isaiah Stewart

Cost to acquire him: First-round pick and a young piece

Detroit Pistons young center Isaiah Stewart is another player whom the Dallas Mavericks have shown interest in this season, but unlike the previously mentioned Bruce Brown, there has not been a reported asking price for Stewart.

For a player of his caliber, it seems reasonable that the Pistons aim to receive a first-round pick and a young piece for the future in exchange for Stewart. The Mavs have a couple of young players and one first-round pick that they could trade if they were to pursue Stewart, but it's unclear how much he would help Dallas if they were to make a trade for him.

He would give the Mavs a great backup center, but he is only 6-foot-8, which could limit his potential as a true rim protector at the center position. Stewart is undeniably a solid upgrade over Dwight Powell, Richaun Holmes, and Maxi Kleber.

This season for the Pistons, Stewart is averaging 11.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game. He would give the Mavs a backup big who can stretch the floor and bring physicality and intensity, but it may be in the Mavs' best interest to look elsewhere for a backup five.

10. Kyle Kuzma

Cost to acquire him: Two first-round picks and salary filler

The Washington Wizards have made it clear that they want multiple first-round picks in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, and although he may be worth two first-round picks, it doesn't look like he'll get that on the open market.

The Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams that have shown interest in Kuzma heading into the deadline, and he could be a great fit at the power forward position.

This season for the Wizards, Kuzma is averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from downtown. He is elite offensively and seems like the exact type of player that Mark Cuban wants, but he doesn't have the defense that the Mavs need at that position.

Dallas doesn't need any more offense, especially when both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are healthy, but Kuzma could be an exception to that take. He can create off the dribble, score at all three levels, and his 3-point jumper off the catch is smooth.

A trade for Kuzma would make this Mavericks offense even more potent than it already is, and his contract is also reasonable. Forming a big three with Luka, Kyrie, and Kuzma is intriguing, but they would need to add a defensive stopper on the wing in a different trade as well.

9. Dorian Finney-Smith

Cost to acquire him: Two first-round picks and salary filler

Dallas Mavericks fans' favorite trade target for the team ever since he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets is Dorian Finney-Smith, and he has been receiving plenty of trade interest from around the league this season.

The Mavs are one of the teams that have shown interest in Finney-Smith this season, but they obviously can't trade multiple first-round picks this season, so if they were to make a deal for him, the Nets' asking price would have to lower.

The Mavs could consider offering the Nets a first-round pick, multiple second-round picks, and salary filler for Finney-Smith, and he would immediately help the Mavs defense help return to the form that it was in during the 2022 NBA Playoffs.

He was the heart and soul of that Mavs team, and him returning would be a move that every fan and Luka Doncic would love. Doncic and Finney-Smith were best friends during his time in Dallas, and it's also been reported that Finney-Smith would like to return to Dallas one day.

This season for Brooklyn, Finney-Smith is averaging 9.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1,4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from downtown. He would give the Mavs a much-needed defensive boost, but landing him could be easier said than done.

8. Royce O'Neale

Cost to acquire him: One first-round pick and salary filler

Another Brooklyn Nets player whom the Dallas Mavericks have shown interest in is Royce O'Neale, and he may be an easier acquisition for the Mavs due to his lower asking price.

O'Neale is on an expiring contract, meaning that the Mavs shouldn't be too risky in pursuing him, but he would be a great pickup if the front office was confident that they could re-sign him.

This season for the Nets, O'Neale is averaging 7.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 37.9 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from downtown. He would step in and become Dallas' starting wing, and his 3-and-D ability is phenomenal.

If the Mavs traded for him, O'Neale would become the best defender on the team immediately. His 6-foot-10 wingspan allows him to guard up, and his physicality on the wing is something that the Mavs need badly. A big reason for the Mavs' struggles this season has been their lack of physicality, and bringing in a physical player should be a priority.

O'Neale has played in 44 playoff games in his career, and his 3-point shooting and defense would definitely help Dallas. A trade that nets him and Dorian Finney-Smith would be massive, but the Mavs may not have the assets to make that happen.

7. Jerami Grant

Cost to acquire him: Two first-round picks and salary filler

Due to the fact that Jerami Grant is in year one of a five-year, $160 million contract, teams could be scared to make a move for him, but he has consistently been a 20-points-per-game scorer over the last few seasons, and any contender would love.

This season for the Trail Blazers, Grant is averaging 21.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from downtown. He has a complete game offensively, and his defense is good enough to hold his own on the wing.

The Mavs remain one of the teams that have been linked to Grant, but they reportedly think his asking price could be too high. It doesn't seem likely that the Mavs will make a super risky trade during the season this year, and they may wait until the offseason to make a big move. This doesn't mean that Dallas won't make a move this year, but if they are going to make a blockbuster trade they could wait until the offseason.

Grant would be a great pickup for the Mavs, and would definitely make them contenders, but his big contract and high asking price could scare Dallas away.

6. Miles Bridges

Cost to acquire him: Matching salary that includes a solid rotation piece and second-round pick(s)

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges has been one of the more intriguing trade targets from around the NBA this season, and he could get dealt before the deadline.

The Dallas Mavericks are among the teams that have shown interest in Bridges, and they are one of the betting favorites to land him.

This season for Charlotte, Bridges is averaging 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from downtown. Bridges is having the best season of his career right before he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he is one of the more appealing rentals for the rest of the season.

Trading for someone who is on an expiring contract is tricky sometimes, as the player could walk in free agency for nothing. These trades can also be beneficial, as seen with Dallas in the Kyrie Irving trade last season, as they re-signed him that summer.

Bridges would undoubtedly be an upgrade for the Mavs on the wing, but it seems as if they have more interest in trading for his teammate. If the Mavs were to trade for Bridges, he would be a solid defensive piece with the size to switch, but it may not be worth it depending on the Hornets' asking price.

The Hornets could even demand a first-round pick for Bridges, but that doesn't seem like Dallas would be willing to give up their only tradable first-round pick for a controversial player who will be a free agent in the summer.

5. P.J. Washington

Cost to acquire him: First-round pick, rotation piece, salary filler

The more attractive trade asset from the Charlotte Hornets is forward P.J. Washington, and the Dallas Mavericks are a team who have registered interest in him this season.

This season, Washington is averaging 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from downtown. Washington is an all-around power forward who would be a great fit in Dallas, and the Mavs have recently emerged as the betting favorites to land him.

As it stands today, Washington has better odds of getting traded to Dallas rather than him remaining in Charlotte, and Mavs fans are buzzing about the possibility of the Mavs landing him. He would be a big upgrade defensively and he would be under contract in Dallas for the next two seasons after this one.

This is important because this perfectly lines up with Dallas' timeline, as Kyrie Irving and potentially Luka Doncic's contracts expire at this point. This would be a great win-now move, but it would also prepare the Mavs for the future and make Washington a building block for the future.

A duo of Dereck Lively II and Washington would be a fun duo down low, and if he is a good fit, the Mavs could become contenders.

4. Quentin Grimes

Cost to acquire him: Second-round pick(s), matching salary, rotation piece

Making an outright trade for New York Knicks guard Quentin Grimes would be challenging because of his small salary, but the Knicks and the potential team that makes a trade for him could each throw in a piece or two to help the money match up.

The Dallas Mavericks are a team that has shown interest in Grimes, and his defensive approach could be an intriguing piece for the Mavs. This season for New York, Grimes is averaging 7.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game while shooting 39.5 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from 3-point range.

Grimes plays with great energy on defense, and he has shown flashes that he can be a solid scorer as well. He attacks the rim well and is a great shooter off the catch.

Defensively, Grimes has quick feet and switches well. He has a similar playstyle to Josh Green, and he could be a good piece for the Mavs off the bench. A trade for Grimes doesn't make much sense if the Mavs don't trade one of their guards in the process, but his defense and 3-point shooting would help the Mavs down the stretch.

3. Andrew Wiggins

Cost to acquire him: Matching salary

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly considering trading Andrew Wiggins straight up for a player and the Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams that have been linked to him.

This season for the Warriors, Wiggins is averaging 12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.4 steals per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 31.0 percent from downtown. Due to the fact that he is having one of the worst seasons of his career, combined with his massive contract have made him a less attractive trade piece, but the potential to break out is still there.

Wiggins is a talented defender and has been the Warriors' main defensive stopper on their way to an NBA Finals run, making him an attractive piece that Dallas could pursue. The Mavs need perimeter defense badly, and they could likely acquire him by just giving up matching salary.

This is the type of move that the Mavs could strike right now, and he could return to playing at a high level next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. He wouldn't be asked to do too much offensively, and he is the type of stopper that could take this Mavs team to another level.

Wiggins could be getting the most open looks of his career next to Doncic, but his contract could be too risky for the Mavs to take on.

2. Daniel Gafford

Cost to acquire him: First-round pick, second-round pick(s), young talent, and a rotation piece

Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford is the second center on this list, and he is someone whom many Dallas Mavericks fans have been interested in at the trade deadline.

The Mavs have shown a level of interest in Gafford, and trading for him would give Dallas one of the best young center duos in the NBA alongside Dereck Lively II.

This season for the Wizards, Gafford is averaging 10.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 69.8 percent from the field. He is an excellent rim protector and a solid finisher in the paint, and that is the exact type of big man that thrives in Dallas.

The Mavs have struggled to find anyone who can consistently produce at the center position outside of Lively II, and Gafford would allow the Mavs to ease up on Lively II's minutes while giving them an excellent backup big.

Defensively, Gafford is outstanding as a help-side defender. He has a knack for rising up with anyone to contest them at the rim and has good hands. Offensively, he has underrated touch and is active on the glass. Gafford may not be the same lob threat as Lively II, but his ability to finish with push shots in the paint would likely mesh well with Kyrie Irving.

1. Deni Avdija

Cost to acquire him: First-round pick or second-round picks, young talent, matching salary

The third Washington Wizards player on this list is Deni Avdija, and although many Dallas Mavericks fans don't realize it, they have shown interest in him at some point this season.

This season for the Wizards, Avdija is averaging 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 50.1 percent from the floor and 37.8 percent from downtown. Avdija is having the best season of his career, and his game would be a great fit in Dallas.

He is a good scorer off the dribble, and his 3-point stroke is smooth. The Mavs are reportedly looking for a forward with some size who can handle the ball, and that's exactly what Avdija is. The Wizards sometimes use him as a ball handler in the pick and roll, and his basketball IQ is through the roof.

Avdija can be used as a point forward when needed and he is a great passer for his position. He plays the game the right way and would be a future piece to build around in Dallas.

For all the latest news and rumors on the Dallas Mavericks as the trade deadline quickly approaches, stay tuned.