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

After Tuesday night's victory over the Houston Rockets, the Dallas Mavericks are 11-6, which is a positive start compared to previous years, but certain parts of their play have been less than ideal.

Despite Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving playing elite basketball, Dallas' defense has been some of the worst in the NBA, and they continue to suffer on the glass. Other than Dereck Lively II, it seems that none of Dallas' frontcourt players want to play defense.

This is a problem they can't have for the remainder of the season, and it seems a trade before the trade deadline may be the best way to address their defensive issue. Although Greg Brown III has flashed immense potential in the G League, it seems that he still may need more time to develop.

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

Trading for an established veteran is probably the best idea, and there could be plenty of defensive-minded players on the market depending on how everything shakes out across the league.

Here are 12 players that the Dallas Mavericks should trade for at the trade deadline to improve their defense.

12. Gary Payton II

Gary Payton II is one of the most underrated guard defenders in the NBA, and he could be a great fit in Dallas depending on if the Warriors decide to move him at the trade deadline or not.

This season in Golden State, Payton II is averaging 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. Payton II could provide Dallas with a spark off the bench, and his perimeter defense is intriguing.

Dallas' bench trio of guards (Tim Hardaway Jr., Seth Curry, and Jaden Hardy) are all score-first players and adding someone like Payton II would be a great idea.

He brings the toughness that Dallas needs and has the type of playoff experience that could help Dallas reach their goals this season. GP2 doesn't seem like someone that Golden State would even consider moving, but he would be a perfect fit in Dallas.

Payton II tore his calf on Wednesday night and will miss time, but hopefully he will recover by the trade deadline.

11. Alex Caruso

Alex Caruso may be the best guard defender on this entire list, and the Mavs could make a move for him at the perfect time if Chicago ends up blowing it up.

The Bulls already seem convinced that they want to move Zach LaVine, and trading someone like Caruso could be a ripple effect of that. Dallas isn't interested in LaVine, but landing an All-Defensive Team player in Caruso would be a game-changer for Dallas.

This season for the Bulls, Caruso averages 9.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 48 percent from downtown on over three attempts per game. This is arguably the best season of his career, and he could heavily contribute on the Mavs.

He would bring phenomenal perimeter defense, shooting, and hustle off the bench, and his ability to effectively shut down opposing guards would also make him a solid fit when on the court with Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving.

Trading for Caruso just makes so much sense for the Mavs, and having him as a piece next to Luka and Kyrie also makes tons of sense.

Landing Caruso may not seem as easy as it seems, but some draft capital and or young talent could convince Chicago to ship him to Dallas.

10. Clint Capela

Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela was a trade target for Dallas for most of the offseason, but a move never materialized.

It seemed that the Mavs were hoping Atlanta would make a move for Pascal Siakam so they could help facilitate the trade as a third team and land Capela. No such move ever came about, so Dallas and Atlanta never made a trade. There were even rumors that Dallas and Atlanta were in talks on draft night for a trade centered around the No. 10 pick.

Now that the season is underway, Dallas and Atlanta could re-engage in talks. This season, Capela is averaging 10.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. It has been a bit of an off-season for Capela, and he would be a great fit in Dallas.

If Dallas traded for Capela, he would immediately be thrust into the starting lineup, allowing Dereck Lively II to move to the bench. Even though Lively II has been excellent for Dallas, having him come off the bench would likely be a better fit.

Dallas would then have two rim protectors on the team, and they wouldn't be so reliant on Lively II if they also had Capela. The Mavericks' need for a second rim protector is obvious, and Capela would be that and more.

9. Andre Drummond

Since we're talking about adding a solid backup big in Dallas, this is a perfect time to talk about Chicago Bulls big man Andre Drummond.

As previously mentioned, a trade between Dallas and Chicago makes tons of sense. The Bulls could be looking to sell at the deadline, and players like Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond would be great fits in Dallas.

Dallas also has already shown interest in Drummond recently, and they could get him for cheap in a trade with the Bulls. This season for Chicago, Drummond is averaging 5.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game. These are the types of numbers that Dallas needs from a big off the bench.

Drummond may not be the same rim protector that he has been in years past, but he would be a massive upgrade from Dwight Powell and Richaun Holmes. He is a solid rebounder and has great size, allowing him to compete with some of the bigger centers in the NBA.

He is also not awful when playing defense on the perimeter, as he has fast hands to sneakily steal the ball from ballhandlers and has good instincts in the passing lanes. Drummond would be someone who plays big minutes from the jump in Dallas, and his fit is undeniable.

8. OG Anunoby

Toronto Raptors wing OG Anunoby may be the biggest star on this list, and a big three of him, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving could propel the Dallas Mavericks to the top of the Western Conference if they were to make such a trade.

This season for the Raptors, Anunoby is averaging 15.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. He is one of the best all-around defenders in the league, and Dallas would thrive if they had that type of defender in the starting lineup next to Doncic and Irving.

Dallas has some solid defenders in the starting lineup, such as Derrick Jones Jr., Grant Williams, and Dereck Lively II, but none of them impact the game defensively as much as Anunoby.

Anunoby was a member of the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team last season while also leading the entire league in steals. He has the defensive pedigree that Dallas needs, and he also has an NBA Championship ring to back it up.

Landing Anunoby wouldn't be easy, but due to the fact that he has a player option after this season, Toronto could be more willing to move him.

Anunoby would be a match made in heaven for the Mavs and could give them the chance to make an NBA Finals run this season.

7. Jarred Vanderbilt

Getting the Los Angeles Lakers to trade Jarred Vanderbilt during year one of his contract extension could be nearly impossible, but having him in a Dallas Mavericks uniform is something that would thrill fans.

Although he hasn't played all season due to injury, he would be a massive pickup for Dallas and would bolster both their interior and perimeter defense immediately. Last season, Vanderbilt averaged 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

When on the floor, he is an absolute menace on defense, and Dallas needs this type of player desperately.

Vanderbilt can guard four positions at an elite level, and his quickness allows him to stay with the league's best guards and his size and length allows him to compete with some of the best wings in the NBA. We saw Vanderbilt guard both Ja Morant and Stephen Curry in the playoffs last season, showing that he can hang with some of the best guards in the NBA.

Standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Vanderbilt is built to be a defensive monster. He can be thrown into any lineup and is more than happy to be on the floor just to play defense.

Offensively, Vanderbilt struggles as a shooter but makes his impact felt in other ways. He hustles on the glass, scores well in transition, and is a good dump-off option.

He isn't one to drop 20 points a night, but his defense and hustle makes him a player that any contender would love to have.

6. Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams is the third Chicago Bull on this list, and he isn't the last. Williams was drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and the Bulls could be looking to move him as he has had a slower start to the season than most people expected.

This season in the windy city, Williams is averaging 7.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. He has started in nine of the 19 games he's played in this season, and would be an elite role player for the Dallas Mavericks if they were to make a move for him.

Williams has been generating tons of trade buzz this season, and the perfect opportunity for the Mavs to pounce could be at the deadline. The Bulls are in an interesting position as it seems they want to move Zach LaVine, and this could cause a chain reaction of different moves for the team.

LaVine has been their star for multiple seasons, and not having him in Chicago would be a massive change. Someone like Williams could be someone that gets moved when and if LaVine gets traded, and his defense and large frame would help Dallas in a big way.

Although he mainly plays power forward, he can play either forward spot and brings the type of physicality that Dallas needs. He is also a solid helpside defender and has great instincts.

5. Dorian Finney-Smith

Every Dallas Mavericks fan's heart hurt when Dallas traded Dorian Finney-Smith to the Brooklyn Nets last season.

This trade was necessary for Dallas, as it gave the Mavs Kyrie Irving, but Finney-Smith built his career from the ground up in Dallas and no one wanted to see him go. He went from undrafted to solidified starter, and was the perfect fit next to Luka Doncic.

He and Doncic were also best friends, and Luka has made it obvious that he wants to play with Finney-Smith again one day.

So why not this year?

Reports indicate that the Mavs have shown a level of interest in a trade for Finney-Smith, and making a move for him at the trade deadline may be the perfect idea. This season for Brooklyn, Finney-Smith is averaging 10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 44.1 percent from downtown.

He is playing some of the best basketball of his career, and Dallas would benefit tremendously from having his perimeter defense on the floor next to Doncic and Irving. Finney-Smith can guard multiple positions, and his familairty with Dallas and many of their players would be an easy swap.

The asking price for Finney-Smith is not cheap, as Brooklyn seems to be asking for multiple first-round picks, but it sounds like Finney-Smith "would love" to return to Dallas one day.

4. Myles Turner

Dallas Mavericks fans love to speculate what the team would look like if they ever traded for Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner, and Dallas may finally turn this dream into a reality this season.

Although there have been no reports indicating that Dallas is interested in a trade for Turner yet, it seems that Turner's name pops up in trade rumors every season. Turner hasn't played in the playoffs in three seasons, and any contender would love to have him as their starting center.

Turner's elite level of play has seemingly been overshadowed by the Pacers' struggles over the last few years, and his excellent stats may shock some. This season, Turner is averaging 16.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game. He is an excellent rim protector, and having him next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas would give them one of the best big threes in the NBA.

Along with his great defense, Turner also brings an elite floor-stretching ability. Turner is shooting 35.8 percent from downtown on 4.2 attempts per game this season, showing that he can be deadly in the pick and pop.

Turner has this year and one more season on his contract, and adding him to Dallas' core could propel them into being one of the league's best teams.

3. Jonathan Kuminga

The Golden State Warriors are struggling much more than people expected this season, and that can partially be attributed to injuries, but some change could be imminent in the Bay.

One player who always seems to be in trade rumors is third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga, and he could be a great fit in Dallas if they decided to move him.

This season, Kuminga is averaging 10.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the field. Although Kuminga is averaging a career-high in points per game, his 3-point shooting numbers are way down. He is shooting just 19.4 percent from downtown this season, and this could help drive his price down once the trade deadline rolls around.

Although Kuminga isn't as great defensively as some of the previously mentioned players, his versatility and size are intriguing. Standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan and strong frame, Kuminga has the tools to guard multiple positions.

He also has elite athleticism and would bring great energy off the bench for Dallas. It would be intriguing to see what the price tag would be for Dallas to make a trade for Kuminga, but his energy, defense, and athleticism are all things that could help push the Mavs to the next level.

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.

1. Torrey Craig

Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig may not pop off the page, like many of the other names on this list do, but he would be an underrated and potentially cheap option for the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline if they decided to upgrade their roster via trade.

This season for the Bulls, Craig is averaging 4.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. This has been a bit of a down year for Craig, but he could get some spot minutes in Dallas if they were to make a move for him.

If Dallas were to trade for him, Craig could play either forward spot and has the playoff pedigree that any contender wants. He has played in 75 playoff games over the course of his career, and is a 38 percent 3-point shooter in the playoffs.

Craig has proved that he can defend both guards and forwards effectively, and is a decent shooter off the catch regardless of what the numbers say this season.

Will the Mavericks make a trade for someone who can help their defense, or will they stand firm with the roster they have now? That question will be answered over the next few months, and we'll have you covered.

For all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.