Rumors: Mavericks attempted to trade for Caris LeVert

The Dallas Mavericks remain active as the trade deadline is set to pass on Feb. 10. They have no plans of trading Jalen Brunson or Dorian Finney-Smith, but the Mavs would love to add a shot creator to enhance their odds of advancing in the playoffs.

Marc Stein shared the latest trade rumors (subscription required) just hours before the deadline, and it featured an interesting Mavericks note. According to Stein, Dallas attempted to trade for Caris LeVert with Tim Hardaway Jr. being the contract offered in return.

The Cavaliers won the bidding for LeVert by trading the expiring contract of injured Ricky Rubio and three draft picks, but the rumor could tell fans more about what the Mavs want to do with their roster moving forward. Let us take a closer look.

Rumors: Dallas Mavericks made offers for Caris LeVert

The Mavs are trying to improve their roster, and they are willing to trade any draft capital available to win now. Those facts should not be surprising given Dallas has one of the top five players in the NBA on their roster.

The Mavericks are also looking to dump an injured Tim Hardaway Jr. to improve now. The 6’5 wing had surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot and is likely out for the remainder of the regular season. THJ is in the first season of a four-year $75 million contract, but he has not fit as well in head coach Jason Kidd’s system. Expect Dallas to continue to explore avenues of moving off Hardaway’s deal through the trade deadline and into the offseason.

The Mavericks can trade their first-round pick on draft night, and they could be searching for a significant upgrade to their roster. Having Tim Hardaway’s contract to match salaries would open up more opportunities for Dallas.

Fans are hungry for the Dallas Mavericks to make a trade and improve their roster. Will they pull something off before the Feb. 10 deadline? Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest.