Grade the Trade: Mavericks form elite big three with bargain trade

Dallas lands Deandre Ayton

Given the Suns' cap situation, moving Deandre Ayton is inevitable. They can't afford to keep him and need multiple assets more than they need him.

This trade with Dallas helps both sides and lets the Mavs get Ayton for a bigger bargain than they could ask for. The Suns are desperate for role players and aren't necessarily interested in landing draft capital.

NBA insider Marc Stein joined "The Ben and Skin Show" on "97.1 The Freak" Tuesday afternoon and dropped some news regarding Ayton and a potential trade to get him. Stein said he thinks Ayton could be acquired without giving up a first-round pick. The team that trades for him would only have to give up some role players that split his salary.

This trade gives Dallas Ayton while sending Tim Hardaway Jr., Davis Bertans, and JaVale McGee to Phoenix.

Dallas lands a good starting center while the Suns shed his contract and gain three players that can come off their bench. It allows them to split Ayton's money into multiple assets that can give them valuable minutes.

Here's a look at grades for both Dallas and Phoenix if they decide to make this trade.