Rumors: Dallas Mavericks show interest in trading for NBA Champion forward
By Noah Weber
As the Pascal Siakam trade rumors finally ended today as he was traded to the Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks fans also got some new intel about some of the players that the Mavs are interested in trading for.
Along with P.J. Washington and Dorian Finney-Smith, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported that the Mavs are linked to Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors. It was reported in December that the Warriors may be open to dealing Wiggins, and now he has emerged in trade rumors linked to the Mavs.
Wiggins would plug right into the Mavs' starting lineup, and Dallas could end up landing him on a good deal considering his massive contract that they would be absorbing.
Rumors: Dallas Mavericks show interest in trading for NBA Champion forward
This season for the Warriors, Wiggins is averaging 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from downtown. Wiggins is having a down year, as he is setting career-lows in points per game, assists per game, steals per game, and 3-point percentage, but a change of scenery could be exactly what Wiggins needs.
Wiggins can create his own shot, is an excellent slasher and finisher, and can be a good 3-point shooter off the catch. His numbers this season don't show that, but he was nearly a 40-percent 3-point shooter last season.
Wiggins' defensive numbers are clearly not the best this season, but we have seen elite defense from Wiggins in the past, especially during the Warriors' 2022 NBA Finals run. He averaged 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in these playoffs, while also having to defend Jayson Tatum some in the Finals.
Wiggins could be someone that the Mavs could buy low and potentially gain draft capital by taking on his contract, and Dallas may be the perfect place for this former NBA Champion to return to playing at a high level.
He fits the Mavericks' previously reported interest of wanting to upgrade at the small forward or power forward spot, and he could help this team become true contenders depending on what they would have to give up.
For all the latest news and rumors on the Dallas Mavericks and Andrew Wiggins, stay tuned.