Why the latest trade rumors are bad news for the Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have a true superstar Luka Doncic but sit at 14-13 on the season. They are currently seventh in the Western Conference after winning two straight games. It has been an uneven start to the year that has Dallas in the middle of the pack on both ends of the floor.

The Mavs need to add more talent around their 22-year-old superstar if they want to become serious title contenders. Kristaps Porzingis has played well when healthy but has already missed seven games. Dallas needs him to be their second star. The Mavericks also have plenty of impactful role players, but they need a talent upgrade.

Dec. 15 is an important day in the NBA calendar as players signed in the offseason become eligible to be traded. That means trade rumors are heating up, but the latest rumblings bring some bad news for the Mavs. Let us take a closer look and what to expect from Dallas before the Feb. 10 trade deadline.

Why the latest trade rumors are bad news for the Dallas Mavericks

Shams Charania dropped his latest trade rumors (subscription required) on Monday with no mention of the Mavericks. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer followed with his on Tuesday while also not releasing any Dallas rumblings.

Soon-to-be free agents Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith are likely drawing interest on the trade market, but Dallas wants to re-sign both players. The Mavs believe in their roster and want to give it more time to find their stride in new head coach Jason Kidd’s system.

They also owe their 2023 first-round pick to the New York Knicks from the Kristaps Porzingis trade, and the top ten protection on it prevents them from dealing a first-rounder until 2027. The Mavericks' limited trade assets keep the organization from entering the sweepstakes for any of the available stars.

The Dallas Mavericks are either playing their hand close to their vest, or they plan on keeping their powder dry until they have more assets available to move. Fans should keep watching the trade rumors as the Feb. 10 deadline approaches, and stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest.