The Dallas Mavericks are locked in on making a deep playoff run with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the team. The partnership many doubted would work is now paying dividends as they have handed the business to their opponents.
However, the NBA championship is not won by two stars by themselves. It takes a team to win the Larry O’Brien trophy, and one can argue that the lack of supporting players is the only thing separating the Mavericks from winning it all.
Jason Kidd and the Mavs will do everything to win with their current roster. However, making tough trades is in the books if they don’t manage to win everything in the playoffs.
Trades the Dallas Mavericks can implement in the 2024 offseason
Tim Hardaway Jr. for a two-way wing
Tim Hardaway Jr. is a beloved figure among Mavs fans for his scoring and personality. He was producing numbers worthy of the Sixth Man of the Year early in the season, but his numbers have since gone down to 14.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 40.3% FG and 35.7% 3FG.
While he’s been a solid player for the Dallas Mavericks, he’s not the two-way player the team desperately needs. They need a solid wing player who can chock threes and defend the many elite wing players they will face in the playoffs.
Noah Weber of The Smoking Cuban noted that this trade would not go well among Mavs fans, but his situation makes it the perfect environment:
Moving Hardaway Jr. may be a move that upsets some Mavs fans, but this summer or next year’s trade deadline may be the perfect time. He will be on an expiring contract, and he could increase his trade value tremendously if he can string together some good performances in the playoffs.
Maxi Kleber for a younger and more affordable big man
Maxi Kleber was supposed to become the big man who would become the team’s defensive anchor during big games. The three-year, $33-million contract they offered him is proof of their confidence in his performance.
However, Kleber’s performance since signing his contract has turned him more into a liability than a solid rock. Through much of the 2023-24 campaign, the 32-year-old has been posting a career-low in points (4.3) while his rebounding (3.3) and blocking (0.7) also took a hit. His 1.6 assists are the only thing giving him value in the Mavs roster.
It may be best for the Dallas front office to find a team willing to take on Kleber’s salary, but that’s easier said than done.
Jaden Hardy for wing depth
Jaden Hardy quickly became a crowd favorite among Dallas Mavericks fans. The second-year guard impressed during his rookie campaign, averaging 8.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 43.8% shooting, 40.4% from three, and 82.3% from the charity stripe.
However, his sophomore season with the Mavs saw his production take a hit as his shooting efficiency also dove. It will be a lot easier for the Mavs to ship him off to another team with a surplus of wingers, but Mavs fans may feel like they’re giving up on a promising player too soon if such a trade was greenlit.
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