Could this denied trade offer for star center ruin the Dallas Mavericks' offseason?

After three days of free agency, the Dallas Mavericks have been fairly quiet as they haven't made any huge moves.

Their best move so far was re-signing Kyrie Irving, but they haven't made any other game-changing moves. To return to contention, Dallas has to sign a defensive-minded wing and find a new starting center.

After re-signing Dwight Powell to a three-year deal, Dallas now has four centers on their roster. They have to find a way to move JaVale McGee's contract so their center rotation can be Powell, Dereck Lively II, and Richaun Holmes.

Could this denied trade offer for star center ruin the Dallas Mavericks' offseason?

This 3-man center rotation isn't bad, but it's not great. None of those players are starting-caliber centers. The Mavs haven't had a quality starting center in many years, and it looks like they could have the same problem next year.

If the Mavs don't make a trade, they could end up with the worst starting center in the Western Conference. Last offseason, they signed McGee, thinking he would be their answer at center. They promised him a starting spot before the season, but he ended up nearly unplayable.

They need a center that will protect the rim, switch on defense, rebound, and catch lobs at an elite level. None of their current bigs move the needle for this team unless Lively II comes in ready to start immediately.

The Mavericks had the chance on draft night to add an elite center, but they denied the trade offer from the Phoenix Suns.

Here we break down that trade offer, explain why Dallas should have accepted it, and explain the consequences it could have.

The Dallas Mavericks had the chance to acquire Deandre Ayton for a bargain

On draft night, the Dallas Mavericks selected Dereck Lively II with the 12th overall pick. The 7-foot-1 big is one of the best rim protectors in the 2023 draft class, and he has the chance to be the starting center by the time opening night rolls around.

Dallas then traded back into the first round using their TPE and drafted Olivier-Maxence Prosper while acquiring Richaun Holmes. This trade gave Dallas another big in Holmes and a rookie wing defender in Prosper.

But what if I told you that the Mavericks' night could have been even better?

At some point after the Mavs drafted Prosper, the Phoenix Suns and Mavs engaged in trade talks centered around their star big man, Deandre Ayton.

Just a few days before, the Suns made a blockbuster trade for Bradley Beal. This trade added another big contract into the mix, and the Suns wanted to add some depth while dealing Ayton. And the Mavericks were one of the teams that they talked with.

Here's the deal that reportedly could have reportedly landed Ayton in Dallas.

Ayton is nearly a salary dump at this point. Dallas would have only had to give up Tim Hardaway Jr. and Holmes. The Mavs' center rotation then could have been Holmes, Ayton, and Lively II, but Dallas didn't want to make this move.

Dallas wanted to have McGee as part of the trade, but Marc Stein said, "The Suns balked at McGee's inclusion," (subscription required). Phoenix wanted the move to be Holmes and Hardaway Jr. for Ayton, but Dallas didn't want to make that move as they wanted to dump McGee's contract.

Now we explain why Dallas should have made this move.

Why the Dallas Mavericks should have made this move

Looking back on draft night, the Dallas Mavericks should have undoubtedly made this move.

Walking away with Deandre Ayton, Dereck Lively II, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper in one night would be game-changing. Dallas would have landed their star center for the next few years in Ayton, his backup in Lively II, and a new wing in Prosper.

Instead, the Mavs walked away with Lively II, Richaun Holmes, and Prosper. Ayton would have been a huge upgrade over Holmes and gives Dallas one of the best starting centers in franchise history.

Dallas losing Tim Hardaway Jr. isn't that big of a loss. The Mavs now have Seth Curry, who could easily replace his minutes. Curry is the more consistent shooter anyways, and a trade is likely on the horizon for Hardaway Jr. again, as the Mavs still have Jaden Hardy.

The Mavericks are now stuck in a predicament as they struggle to find a team that will take McGee's contract. It's obvious that they want to trade him, but things wouldn't have been much different if they made the trade.

Either way, Dallas would still be trying to move McGee's contract right now. They shouldn't have gotten greedy and required McGee to be in the trade. Dallas should have made the trade and walked away from draft night with Lively II and Ayton as their two new centers. Instead, the Mavs walked away with Lively II and Holmes.

A big three of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Ayton would be exceptional. Ayton is just 24 years old and would have been a great young piece to add to their young core.

And now it looks like it's too late to trade for Ayton, as Phoenix is reportedly keeping him. Here's a look at Dallas' starting lineup if they made the move.

Projected starting lineup: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Josh Green, Maxi Kleber, Deandre Ayton

The Mavs would likely start the wing that they land with the MLE, but we can't assume who they are going to sign. For the sake of this trade, we inserted Josh Green into the starting lineup. The Mavs could also start Reggie Bullock in this situation.

How Dallas' decision to not make this trade could be catastrophic

Dallas' failure to make this trade could turn out catastrophic if they can't make a move for a starting center.

As mentioned before, this trade would have given Dallas their starting center for the next few years in Deandre Ayton. If they made this trade, they would have been able to fully focus the rest of the offseason on adding a wing to add into the mix.

Since Dallas didn't want to accept the trade, they now must focus on multiple different things. They reportedly want to trade Tim Hardaway Jr., JaVale McGee, and Richaun Holmes, need a new wing, and need a new starting center. If Dallas made this trade, all they would have had to do was dump McGee and find a new wing.

Now Dallas' hands are full, as they are looking to trade three different players and still need a new wing and center. Things would have been much easier if Dallas just made the move for Ayton. They had a deal in their lap for a starting center, and they didn't take it. Dallas has needed a starting center for so long, and they got too greedy because they wanted to include McGee in the deal, while Phoenix didn't want him.

If Dallas can't make a trade to dump McGee, they would end up having to cut him. Rather than pairing him with another piece and getting some value for him, they would lose him for nothing. This trade that never happened could have consequences that run deeper than just Ayton. There were so many parts of this trade that would have benefitted Dallas beyond Ayton.

In my opinion, that trade was a no-brainer, but Dallas could have bigger plans in the works. The details of the trade could also be skewed. Marc Stein is one of the most trusted sources for NBA news, but the only people who truly know the details of the potential trade from draft night are the Mavs and Suns.

Stay tuned to see what other moves the Mavs make and if Dallas can land a new starting center. We'll have you covered with all the news and rumors surrounding the Mavs, so stay tuned.