Bleacher Report’s proposed Mavericks-Magic trade is comically horrible for Dallas

The Dallas Mavericks need to make more moves to become true title contenders. The blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving gave them a second star, but they do have enough defense, rebounding, or rim protection to compete with the elite teams. Dallas needs at least one more transaction cycle to acquire those pieces, but will they get it?

Irving is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he will be free to sign with any team. The eight-time All-Star will have plenty of suitors, including the Lakers. Will he decide to stay in Dallas? The Mavs need to offer him a max contract to keep him, but even that may not be enough.

Expect the Mavericks to be active and aggressive on the trade market this summer. Bleacher Report took a look at trades teams wish they could get done right now, and it produced a deal that makes zero sense for Dallas. Here is a closer look.

Bleacher Report’s proposed Mavericks-Magic trade is comically horrible for Dallas

The Magic kept Harris through the trade deadline, but they would have accepted an offer if they were blown away. The 28-year-old is averaging just 8.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 24.9 minutes per game this season. He is a below-average defender that has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. Harris has played more than 60 games in just three of his nine NBA seasons.

Orlando would be lucky to get two second-round picks for Harris, so why would the Mavericks give up both of their young talents to land him? Here is a look at the full details of the B/R proposed trade.

Josh Green is a better player than Gary Harris right now. The Mavericks wing is six years younger along with being a better defender and shot creator. Harris has a slight shooting edge, but Green has made tremendous strides with his jumper in the last year.

Yes, this trade allows the Mavs to dump the $22 million owed to Davis Bertans over the next two seasons, but is that worth the team’s only two young tradeable assets? Green and Jaden Hardy are only going to be packaged to land another starter-level player that puts Dallas over the top. Does Harris even make the Mavericks better? I’d argue giving up Green for the 6’4 guard makes Dallas worse.

The Mavs view Josh Green as one of their most important players, and they only plan on trading him if it means acquiring another star. Gary Harris is a part-time starter on a team that will be back in the lottery this summer, so he does not fit the bill.

The Dallas Mavericks would instantly hang up the phone if the Orlando Magic proposed this trade, but their trade talks will heat up as the season winds down. GM Nico Harrison is never afraid to be aggressive, so expect the Mavs to make moves this summer. Will those additions make them title contenders? Stay tuned to find out.