Will the Dallas Mavericks trade for Zach LaVine this summer?

Should the Dallas Mavericks target Zach LaVine this offseason?

General manager Nico Harrison and owner Mark Cuban have to do their homework on Zach LaVine. How do they feel about his current recovery and potential to stay healthy long-term? Luka said it after their Game 5 loss to the Warriors, the best ability is availability. Do the Mavs feel strongly about LaVine playing 70-plus regular-season games, something he has not done since 2016, and staying healthy during a deep playoff run?

If LaVine checks the health box, the Mavericks must decide how much he can improve on the defensive end of the floor. Dallas will be trying to cover for Luka’s defense, so having two defenders that can be hunted in the backcourt becomes problematic quickly in the postseason.

Finally, the Dallas Mavericks have to decide if Zach LaVine is the best player they could reasonably acquire over the next three years. Luka Doncic pushed the team to the conference finals this year with an unheralded supporting cast. The Mavs should be searching for a star that pushes them firmly into title contention. They cannot repeat the same mistake they made with Kristaps Porzingis and just jump at the first chance they get to acquire an All-Star.

The Mavericks should let Zach LaVine go elsewhere as they search for another superstar to pair with Luka Doncic to build a perennial title contender in Dallas, but will they?