Grade the Trade: Mavs land All-Defensive First Team guard in mock trade with Bulls

Dallas Mavericks land elite defender, Chicago Bulls land dynamic scorer in mock trade

In this trade originally proposed by Bleacher Report, the Dallas Mavericks land a top-five defender in the NBA, while the Chicago Bulls acquire a player that could bud into a future star in the NBA along with center depth and draft capital.

The Mavericks land a player that they can either start or bring off the bench in Alex Caruso, while the Bulls land someone who has the potential to be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year in Jaden Hardy, big man depth in JaVale McGee, and future draft capital.

Last season, Caruso averaged 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. He was also part of the NBA's All-Defensive First Team along with Jrue Holiday, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brook Lopez, and Evan Mobley. This is an elite group, and it shows you how great of a year Caruso had on the defensive end of the floor.

On the other side of the deal, Chicago lands Hardy, one of Dallas' best young assets that will be a great piece if they decide to rebuild. They also land McGee, and he could play limited minutes at center behind Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond along with a 2025 second-round pick.

Next, we grade the trade for both sides and break down how each team would look following this mock trade.