Grade the Trade: Dallas Mavericks land Raptors star forward in blockbuster proposal

After the first game of their seven-game homestand, the Dallas Mavericks are sitting at 20-15 on the year after Wednesday night's victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

They needed this win badly last night, as they had lost three of their last four games. Dallas will look to continue to stay on track, as Kyrie Irving played in his second game since returning from injury on Monday night.

Dallas will need him to continue to be an excellent running mate for Luka Doncic if they want to contend in the loaded Western Conference.

Grade the Trade: Dallas Mavericks land Raptors star forward in blockbuster proposal

Although Dallas is a playoff team right now, it seems that they may need to make at least one trade to become true NBA Finals contenders. Dallas needs help in their frontcourt, and their focus seems to be adding a power forward. Adding a 3-and-D wing wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Although Nico Harrison and company typically hold their cards close to their chests during trade season, there have been a few rumors this season of players that Dallas has shown interest in.

The Mavs reportedly have "great interest" in Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons and have also shown interest in a reunion with Dorian Finney-Smith of the Brooklyn Nets.

This team has plenty of things that they can improve upon, and Mavs fans should be excited about the potential of this squad down the stretch. Doncic continues to be one of the top MVP candidates in the NBA, and if he can keep this up, Dallas has a chance against anybody in the playoffs.

In this mock deal, the Mavs strike up a deal with the Toronto Raptors for their star forward whom they have already reportedly shown interest in. This deal may not be easy, but it would push the Mavericks to the top of the standings of the Western Conference.

Dallas Mavericks land Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam in massive blockbuster trade

In this mock move, the Dallas Mavericks pull off a massive blockbuster trade with the Toronto Raptors that lands them Pascal Siakam. Dallas' interest in Siakam was reported to be "overstated," but this is a move that shouldn't be ruled out. It's clear that Dallas wants to upgrade at the power forward position, and Siakam is one of the best at that position in the NBA.

In this deal, Dallas loses four players who are part of their rotation, but they land a third star to pair next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Siakam and a lengthy wing in Jalen McDaniels. Both players would play immediately for Dallas, but it wouldn't come at a small price.

Dallas loses Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, Jaden Hardy, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Although Kleber has been hurt for almost the entire season, and Prosper hasn't consistently been in the rotation, both of those losses hurt. Prosper has immense potential, and Kleber (at his best) has been elite in his role for the Mavs.

Hardaway Jr. has also solidified himself as a top Sixth Man of the Year candidate and Hardy has shown flashes that he can be a great bench piece for this team. All four players would be good pieces for the Raptors to build around Scottie Barnes, and the Mavs form an elite big three.

Hardaway Jr. is someone who has been in trade rumors for months, and maybe his high level of play will boost his value enough to help this trade happen.

After this trade, the Mavs will look completely different and could have the star power to make an NBA Finals run considering Siakam's elite skills and playoff experience that includes an NBA Finals ring.

Next, we grade the trade for both teams involved and discuss how each team would look following this trade.

Grading the trade for the Toronto Raptors

Although the Toronto Raptors lose one of their franchise cornerstones in this trade in Pascal Siakam, they gain multiple young players to add to their core and two bench pieces that thrive in their roles.

Considering Siakam is on an expiring contract, this move makes sense for Toronto if they have a feeling that he will sign elsewhere over the summer. Getting something for him rather than nothing is important, and although they could get more for him through trading with a different team, this trade package has some good qualities.

Tim Hardaway Jr. has arguably been the best bench scorer in the NBA this season and has been a top candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. He would be a great piece for Toronto's second unit, and Maxi Kleber can supply 3-point shooting and defense if he can return to his peak form.

Two more intriguing pieces in this trade are Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Jaden Hardy. Both players would come off the bench, and Hardy has the potential to be an elite 3-point shooter off the bench one day, while Prosper has all the tools to be a do-it-all wing.

Potential starting lineup: Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickly, RJ Barrett, Chris Boucher, Jakob Poeltl

Toronto receives a B for this trade as they land two veteran pieces and two young building blocks for the future. They don't land a first-round pick in this deal, but if Siakam were to force his way to Dallas, then maybe they could get the Raptors to agree to this deal.

Grading the trade for the Dallas Mavericks

With this trade, the Dallas Mavericks land their third franchise cornerstone to pair with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. This trade only makes sense if they believe they can re-sign Pascal Siakam over the offseason, and Dallas would become immediate contenders with this move.

Siakam would slot in at the starting power forward spot immediately and would form an elite four-five duo with Dereck Lively II. Both players can handle their own in the post, and having two lengthy players down low would help the Mavs' defense and rebounding improve tremendously.

This season for the Toronto Raptors, Siakam is averaging 22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 52.1 percent from the field. Siakam remains a dominant offensive force in the NBA, and teams wouldn't be able to stop him, Doncic, and Irving when they are all on the floor together.

Siakam can go score virtually whenever he wants, as he uses crafty moves to knife his way to the bucket. He is also a great scorer in transition, and very few can stop him when he has a full head of steam heading towards the rim.

Dallas also lands Jalen McDaniels in this trade, and he would immediately join the rotation. Dallas needs more size on the wing, and McDaniels can use his 6-foot-9 lengthy frame to disrupt passing lanes and be a versatile defender.

Potential starting lineup: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., Pascal Siakam, Dereck Lively II

The Mavs land an A for this trade, as they make it happen without having to give up a first-round pick. If this trade doesn't get it done, they could also consider switching some of the players around so the deal would include Josh Green or the 2027 first-round pick they have. It has been reported that the Mavs are being cautious about dealing that pick, but maybe this trade will make it worth it.

The OG Anunoby trade could have been the perfect lead-in for the Raptors to make this move, and a potential Siakam to Dallas trade would set the NBA world on fire.

For all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks and their potential pursuit of Pascal Siakam, stay tuned.