12 Players the Dallas Mavericks should trade for to improve their defense

2. Royce O'Neale

Although it seems that the Dallas Mavericks would be more interested in a trade for Dorian Finney-Smith if they were to make a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, they could also make a trade for a different player who does many of the same things that Finney-Smith does.

His name is Royce O'Neale, and although he may not have the same size and versatility as Finney-Smith, he brings many of the same things to the floor. This season for the Nets, O'Neale is averaging 8.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. He is playing at an elite level and would be a perfect fit at the starting small forward spot for Dallas.

Mavericks fans have seen the level of physicality and tenacity that O'Neale brings on a nightly basis firsthand, and he is the type of player that Dallas needs on the wing. He isn't afraid of any defensive matchup, and he backs up all of his talk.

While O'Neale is known for his strong defense, he has also emerged as a great 3-point shooter. O'Neale is shooting 40.7 percent from downtown on the season, and he would get some of the most open looks of his career playing next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

O'Neale's asking price may also be a bit smaller than Finney-Smith's since he is on an expiring contract, and either player would be a great pickup for the Mavs.