Grade the Trade: Mavericks land former fan favorite in blockbuster proposal

The Dallas Mavericks found their starting power forward last season when they traded for P.J. Washington. This was a move the Mavs desperately needed, as Grant Williams struggled to meet expectations that were set for him.

Washington became the perfect piece for Dallas. He helped solidify the team's defense and greatly contributed to their deep playoff run. Washington's 3-point shooting played a key role in Dallas advancing to the Western Conference Finals past the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He and Derrick Jones Jr. were the team's primary starting forwards. They helped alleviate the Mavs' need for a 3-and-D player. Their defense helped Dallas pull the upset over the LA Clippers. Their pairing gave Dallas some depth and size in areas they had constantly struggled with in the past.

Grade the Trade: Mavericks land former fan-favorite in blockbuster proposal

Washington though will have a new teammate starting alongside him. It's reported that Klay Thompson will start at the small forward position. This will be a big change, as Thompson will make life easier for Washington, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving. His presence could also open the door for Washington's scoring ability as he will command the defense's attention.

The issue will be who is going to be Washington's backup. It's expected that Maxi Kleber will be the team's backup forward and spend time at the four and the five. This could be concerning for Dallas, as Kleber has yet to take that next step. He has struggled to replicate his defensive performance from two years ago, and his long-range shooting has taken a dip. Other backup options include Naji Marshall and Olivier-Maxence Prosper.

One possible option could be trading for a former fan-favorite. This trade could solidify the Mavs even further.

In the trade proposal, the Mavericks give a small haul of players and a draft pick to land someone who has deep ties to Dallas. We'll dive into the trade details and grade the trade for both teams involved.