7 realistic trades the Dallas Mavericks should make for a starting center

6. Dallas Mavericks revisit Deandre Ayton trade talks, and Phoenix ups the ante

The Dallas Mavericks were reportedly in talks with the Phoenix Suns on draft night in regards to landing Deandre Ayton in a trade. Although the details of the trade aren't confirmed, there have been rumors that it was Richaun Holmes, Tim Hardaway Jr., and JaVale McGee for Ayton.

Phoenix reportedly didn't want McGee in this deal, and Dallas possibly could have gotten the deal done if they pulled him from the deal. But they didn't and now will probably end up waving him anyway.

In this proposed deal, the Mavs offer the Suns a better deal than the one from draft night and see if they can land Ayton.

This trade offer is much better than the one from draft night as the Suns get future draft capital along with two players that will play heavy rotation minutes. The Suns could also get Dallas to include McGee in the trade if they want center depth, but they didn't want him on draft night and probably don't want him now.

This trade gives the Mavs one of the best bigs they've had in an extremely long time in Ayton and allows them to shed Hardaway Jr.'s contract. Dallas signed Seth Curry this summer, Jaden Hardy looks like he could be a star one day, and Dallas should move Hardaway Jr. to free up some minutes for those two.

Although losing Maxi Kleber would hurt, including him in this deal could convince the Suns to make the deal. Dallas has Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Grant Williams now, two players that can help this loss be not as severe, and they should make this move for an elite big like Ayton while they have the chance.

Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game for the Suns last season. He would have the chance to be the third star next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and making a trade for him wouldn't be a bad idea.

The Mavs could also consider adding another second-round pick into this trade to sweeten the deal, but this trade could possibly get it done as the Suns desperately need more depth. Dallas has been in trade rumors for Ayton multiple times this offseason, and Dallas turns these rumors into a reality with this trade.