6 Dallas Mavericks who are expendable, and 6 they can't afford to trade

The Dallas Mavericks are sitting at 12-8 and fourth place in the Western Conference after Wednesday night's victory over the Utah Jazz. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are clicking after having a bit of a rough start last season and players around them are stepping up as well.

Dereck Lively II has been the third most important player on this team behind Irving and Doncic, and Tim Hardaway Jr. has played his way into the Sixth Man of the Year race.

Dallas fans should be excited about the future of this team, but it looks as if they are at least one move away.

6 Dallas Mavericks who are expendable, and 6 they can't afford to trade

Their defense is not the best and rebounding is still an issue. Thus, it looks like the best way to improve this team is through the trade market. Dallas is known for making moves at the deadline, and I don't see this year being any different.

Here are six Dallas Mavericks players who are expendable and six that they can't afford to trade.

12. Expendable: Richaun Holmes

Even though Richaun Holmes has become the Mavs' backup big over the last few weeks due to Maxi Kleber's toe injury, he is not someone who should be untouchable on this roster.

Holmes was recently listed as one of the Mavs' top trade candidates due to Dallas' already packed frontcourt and his moveable contract. He seems like someone who could get moved at the deadline, and his role could easily be replaced.

Although Dwight Powell hasn't been the best during his minutes this season, he wouldn't be a massive drop-off from Holmes. They could also look to add a backup rim protector via the trade market to fill in for Holmes.

Fans should also remember that Holmes was included in rumored draft day trade talks when the Mavs were talking with the Phoenix Suns about a potential move for Deandre Ayton. Holmes isn't untouchable by any means, and I don't think it would shock anyone if he is playing for a different team once the trade deadline rolls around.

11. Can't afford to trade: Derrick Jones Jr.

The Dallas Mavericks signed Derrick Jones Jr. to a veteran's minimum contract during free agency, and he quickly outplayed his contract since being a Maverick.

Jones Jr. is having the best season of his career as he is averaging 9.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting over 41 percent from downtown. He has been one of Dallas' most consistent 3-point shooters, and his considerable improvement in this area has worked wonders for his game.

He always seems to get open corner threes, and he is shooting a career-high 4.3 3-pointers per game. These open looks and increased volume from downtown have helped him take his game to the next level.

Dallas can't afford to trade Jones Jr. because of his overall importance to the squad. The Mavs don't have many other 3-and-D wings on this roster, and Jones Jr. has been perfect in his role. He is exactly what the Mavs need, and he does exactly what they ask him to do.

He doesn't seem to care about his number of shot attempts or if he is in the starting lineup or not. Jones Jr. is a winner that brings his all on both ends of the floor.

It's not easy to strike gold with a veteran's minimum contract, and Dallas can't risk losing their starting small forward unless they land a much better replacement.

10. Expendable: Maxi Kleber

During the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Maxi Kleber was exactly who the Dallas Mavericks needed to make a deep playoff run. Kleber averaged 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 43.6 percent from downtown.

He was one of the Mavs' best defenders by far and was one of their most consistent shooters for this playoff run. His play was inspiring, and it looked as if Dallas had a piece that would be a key member of their core. Dallas ended up signing him to a three-year, $33 million extension after this playoff run, but this decision looks questionable at best as the extension just started this season.

Although Kleber has been battling a toe injury and remains out, he has been bad when he has been on the floor. In five games, Kleber is averaging 3.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 25 percent from the field and 33 percent from the field.

Kleber has never looked the same since tearing his hamstring last season, and the toe injury has made things worse this season. He looks uninterested when acting as a helpside defender, and hasn't been a rim protector at all.

Kleber is someone who is easily expendable, as he is playing poorly and has a moveable contract. If Kleber can get back to playing how he was during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, fans would be thrilled.

But if his poor play continues, he is someone who Dallas could do without.

9. Can't afford to trade: Dereck Lively II

The Dallas Mavericks' best move of the offseason came when they selected Dereck Lively II with the No. 12 overall pick. Dallas originally had the No. 10 pick but traded back in the draft while shedding Davis Bertans' contract and gaining a traded player exception.

Dallas landed their rim protector of the future with this selection, but Lively II has also been a phenomenal fit next to Luka Doncic as the two dominate in the pick and roll.

At first, Lively II was just a lob threat at the rim, but now he has developed some aggressiveness in the short roll that has allowed him to be more of a scorer when he isn't catching lobs. Against Oklahoma City, Lively II had multiple plays in which he caught the ball and the short roll and finished at the rim through contact with a dunk or a layup.

He has been one of the most important players on the Mavs this season, and his ability to do exactly what Dallas asks of him combined with his undeniable chemistry with Doncic and Kyrie Irving makes him someone the Mavs can't afford to move.

He has future all-star written all over him, and the Mavs couldn't have drafted a better player than they did with the No. 12 overall selection. If his offensive game continues to develop, watch out.

8. Expendable: Dwight Powell

Dwight Powell has been a Dallas Maverick since 2014, as he was moved to Dallas from the Boston Celtics as part of the Rajon Rondo trade. Powell was just a throw-in in that trade but has become the longest-tenured player on the team.

In 10 seasons with Dallas, (not all full seasons, as it includes this season and the year he was traded to the team) Powell averages 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 60 percent from the field.

Powell became one of Luka Doncic's favorite pick-and-roll partners over the years, but he was never in the position to be elite at his role. He has been a starter for the majority of his time in Dallas, and he was never a good enough big man to start, causing fans to turn on him quickly.

He receives more flack from fans than anyone else on the team, yet still gives his all on both ends of the floor and is the perfect teammate. Powell is a great example for his teammates on and off the court, but that doesn't mean he isn't expendable.

Dallas re-signed Powell on a three-year deal this summer, and he could be someone that the Mavs look to trade at the deadline to a team that needs a backup center. Powell is a solid big to bring off the bench to bring energy and hustle, but he isn't someone who should be playing significant minutes on a nightly basis.

7. Can't afford to trade: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Including Tim Hardaway Jr. as someone that the Dallas Mavericks can't afford to trade may be as controversial take as you'll find, but he has proven this season that Dallas needs him.

After being a hybrid starter for most of his time in Dallas, he has fully embraced his role of coming off the bench. This season for Dallas, Hardaway Jr. is averaging 16.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 38 percent from downtown. This has easily been one of his best seasons since being with the Mavs, and he gives the bench a much-needed spark.

Despite all of this, the Mavs tried to trade him all summer. At one point, he was even "expected" to be traded. Hardaway Jr. shut down the trade rumors at media day and has been balling ever since.

Dallas can't afford to trade Hardaway Jr. due to his importance to the team and how well he is playing off the bench. If Seth Curry, Josh Green, and Jaden Hardy were playing at an elite level, this could be a different story, but Hardaway Jr. is outplaying all of them.

Hardaway Jr. is the obvious third-best player on the Mavs, and he isn't someone they can afford to trade unless they receive someone who can replace his workload off the bench and more.

The decision to keep or trade Hardaway Jr. at the deadline will be a sticky situation as he is playing so well and has a moveable contract, but I think he has proved it may be time to stick with him.

6. Expendable: Josh Green

The Dallas Mavericks selected Josh Green in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, and he improved every year since being in the league until this year. After showing considerable improvement from season to season in his first three seasons, Green has regressed during his fourth season.

Rather than taking the fourth-year jump that many fans anticipated after he signed his three-year, $41 million extension, Green's game has not improved. This season for the Mavs, Green is averaging 6.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 36.5 percent from downtown.

Green's game is being hindered by the same things that have held him back from being an elite player in seasons past, and he is not untouchable by any means. Green was someone that teams were calling about over the summer, and he likely still has solid value around the league.

The problem with Green is that it may take him another year or two to reach a level where the Mavs can play him high minutes, and he can consistently contribute. Dallas doesn't have time to wait for him to develop anymore. They need to go make win-now moves.

Green can still be a good contributor for this team, and his extension is at a good price, but the Mavs' window to win is small. He is also battling another elbow injury, and the Mavs could realize that they don't need him as badly as they may have thought over the next few weeks.

5. Can't afford to trade: Luka Doncic

This may be the most obvious player on this list, but the Dallas Mavericks can't afford to trade Luka Doncic by any means. Doncic has been with Dallas since they drafted him in 2018, and he is playing the best basketball of his career this season.

Doncic is averaging 31.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from downtown. Luka is also coming off one of the best games of his career, as he became the first player in NBA history to drop a 25-point triple-double in the first half of a game.

Doncic's conditioning from the summer has allowed him to become even better, and he is someone that Dallas can't afford to trade due to the fact that he is just now entering his prime. We likely haven't even seen the best version of Luka yet, and landing such a great talent through the draft is almost impossible.

The Mavs need to continue to build around him and Kyrie Irving with the hope that they can make an NBA Finals push soon. Luka could go down as one of the greatest NBA players of all time, and Dallas would become the laughingstock of the league if they decided to move him elsewhere.

Luka should be untouchable.

4. Expendable: Seth Curry

Even though Seth Curry is finally starting to play better for the Dallas Mavericks and has been a great piece off the bench, I don't think it's fair to say that Curry is someone that Dallas can't afford to trade, making him an expendable player.

This season for Dallas, Curry is averaging 4.4 points, 1..4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 0.6 steals per game while shooting 40 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from downtown. Curry has turned his extreme early-season struggles around recently as he has been handed a consistent role, but if Dallas ends up having to move him in a trade at the deadline, I don't think he should be a dealbreaker.

Curry was someone that seemingly every fan had massive expectations for entering the season, and due to Dallas' surplus of guards off the bench, he hasn't been able to fully display his abilities until the injury bug hit the Mavs over the last week or so.

If Dallas decides to keep Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., and or Jaden Hardy, Curry should be moved. There aren't enough minutes to go around to all of them, and the Mavs wouldn't be considerably worse.

Curry could make me eat my words if he continues to play as well as he has over the last week, and only time will tell if he is a Maverick after the trade deadline passes.

3. Can't afford to trade: Grant Williams

Grant Williams has struggled tremendously over the last month or so, and some fans have already started to turn on him. Even with his recent struggles, I believe that Grant Williams is someone the Mavs can't afford to trade.

Williams is averaging 9.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 40.6 percent from downtown. These are solid stats, but his stats from the beginning of the season are even better.

Williams was scorching hot from 3-point range to start the year, as he dropped 13 or more points in six of his first seven games with Dallas. This includes a 25-point game against the Chicago Bulls in which he went 7-9 from downtown. He was quickly becoming the Mavs' third-best player, but he has slowed down recently and has been in a bit of a shooting slump.

These shooting numbers could be discouraging to some, but I think Williams will bounce back and get back to playing at a high level. Shooting slumps don't last forever, and Williams is getting enough open looks to get back to playing well again.

He is also an essential vocal and defensive leader, and the Mavs don't have many of those players right now. Williams isn't untouchable by any means, but it doesn't make much sense to move one of your main players in the first year of his contract. Things take time, and Williams should get back to being an efficient shooter in no time.

2. Expendable: Jaden Hardy

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy was someone that most fans were excited about going into this year.

Hardy didn't play much at the beginning of his rookie year but ended up being Dallas' most consistent shooter towards the end of the season. He shot over 40 percent from downtown on the year, proving that he isn't just an isolation scorer.

Despite a great end of the season last year and a solid NBA Summer League, Hardy has struggled for the Mavs this season. He is averaging 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting an inefficient 38.8 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from downtown.

Hardy seems like he is trying to do too much during his time on the floor, and he isn't playing in the flow of the offense as much as he was last year. Dallas also doesn't have time to wait around while he develops, and moving him for an established role player wouldn't be a bad move at all.

With the way that Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving's contracts are structured, the Mavs are in win-now mode. It seems as if they are one move away from being serious contenders, and if that deal has to include Hardy, so be it.

Hardy could start to play better if his minutes start to increase, but I think it's unlikely that Hardy, Seth Curry, Josh Green, and Tim Hardaway Jr. will all be on the team after the trade deadline.

1. Can't afford to trade: Kyrie Irving

The Dallas Mavericks made headlines last season as they traded Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris. Irving was on an expiring contract, but the Mavs were betting on him and Luka Doncic working as a duo.

Although many thought that Luka and Kyrie would click immediately, that wasn't the case. Dallas fell down the rankings as the season winded down and ended up missing the playoffs. This was the last thing that people expected when Dallas traded for Irving, but they didn't have a good enough team surrounding Irving and Doncic to compete with the best teams in the league.

Dallas ended up re-signing Irving to a three-year deal this offseason, and the Mavs are sitting at 12-8 through 20 games. They are playing much better as a duo, and Irving has become someone that Dallas can't afford to trade.

The Mavs can't afford to trade him because this would cause them to have to start over again in a way. This roster is constructed around Kyrie and Luka, and another blockbuster trade would complicate things even more for Doncic and the Mavs.

Irving has proved that he is an essential piece for this team, and Dallas just needs a few more pieces to become true NBA Finals contenders. There is still plenty of basketball to be played, and Dallas could move Irving at the deadline if he struggles, but I don't think that will happen.

For all the latest on Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.