3 Outside-the-box trade ideas to make the Mavericks a contender this season

Things cooled off quickly this offseason once Damian Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trailblazers.

The free agency signings mostly froze across the league, and the trade market followed suit. This has left the Dallas Mavericks holding their hat with a roster that, for all intents and purposes, seems a little confusing.

It is unknown if this is the group that Dallas will take into the season or if they still have a move or two up their sleeve once transactions start happening again. It seems odd to bring guys like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Javale McGee back after their names have been openly shopped around the NBA, according to rumors that have been flying all summer.

3 Outside the box trade ideas to make the Mavericks a contender this season

As it stands right now, Dallas currently has Jaden Hardy, Dante Exum, and Seth Curry all vying for playing time behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the backcourt.

On the wing, Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Grant Williams, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper will battle it out for minutes. It's worth noting that both Green and Tim Hardaway Jr. have played shooting guard at times as well. Especially Green, who the Mavs used as an offensive initiator and playmaker at times last season.

While at the center position, the Mavs have Richaun Holmes, Derek Lively II, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, and McGee currently on the roster.

Ironically, the Mavericks have a log jam at center, but with no real clear-cut starter.

If Mark Cuban and Nico Harrison are going to make any more moves this summer, these three outside-the-box trades could round out the roster and make Dallas a true title contender this season.