The Dallas Mavericks entered the season as a team that many felt needed further roster changes. After a 3-7 in the last 10 games, they are only one game apart from the 11th-placed Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference standings.
There are natural limitations that the Mavs face when it comes to mid-season trading maneuvers. The 2023 first-round pick they owe the New York Knicks as part of the 2019 deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis has protection that lasts until 2025.
In order for the Mavs to unprotect their exiting first-round pick, they would need to get permission from the Knicks to do so. Given the intense competition to collect a ticket as a participant in the Play-In tournament, it would be a risky decision to take such action.
While the limitations of a splashy move at the close of trade are obvious, the Mavs could still make a move on the fringes of the roster. One area to consider is wing chord. It’s a tough problem mid-season, but it’s certainly getting more of a problem as time goes on.
Before the Los Angeles Lakers recently struck a deal to acquire Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards, they were among the teams most commonly linked to New York Knicks wing Cam Reddish in trade rumours. The Milwaukee Bucks were the main team mentioned alongside them, but the Mavs and Miami Heat later emerged as possible landing spots based on reports as well.
Another detail in Marc Stein’s reporting The Stone Line engaged the Knicks’ fishing for Mavs veteran wing Reggie Bullock in trade talks. It was mentioned that Bullock is “respected highly” by Dallas’ front office. However, if he wasn’t included in a trade package for Reddish, what could another deal look like?
In a recent hypothetical trade scenario, the NBA Analysis Network is sending Mavs JaVale McGee, Frank Ntilikina and a 2025 second-round pick to the Knicks in exchange for Reddish.
Reddish has struggled to find his footing after being traded midseason by the Atlanta Hawks last year. It has only gotten worse this season as he has appeared in just 20 games with his last appearance being on December 3rd. He’s been a healthy scratch from her rotation ever since.
When Hachimura was traded for three second-round picks, he was still averaging 24.3 minutes per game while averaging a productive 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds unlike Reddish. It’s very unlikely that the Knicks will make a huge trading return in exchange for Reddish at this point.
There are valid concerns for a commercial applicant when evaluating Reddish as an opportunity. Unlike Hachimura, Reddish hasn’t played in almost two months. Is a player who has yet to find a niche in the NBA a player who would quickly add to a team’s playoff run? It’s probably unlikely, but then again, who saw Spencer Dinwiddie help the Mavs reach the Western Conference Finals last season after playing poorly at the Washington Wizards?
The Mavs gave McGee a three-year contract worth $17.2 million, using most of their taxpayer mid-level exemption. He won’t get any more playing time, even if Christian Wood and Maxi Kleber are out through injury.
Would the Knicks be able to take that deal? It’s hard to imagine any NBA team wanting to do that unless they just want a big man with drop coverage. Tom Thibodeau uses this defensive style.
Ntilikina would certainly be no more than just a salary filler. He doesn’t get consistent playing time with the Mavs, and the Knicks made the decision to pull from him two years ago. However, there could be an angle where it will be enacted or bought out in these particular circumstances.
The real value for the Knicks is adding depth to center position while Mitchell Robinson is sidelined while deviating from Reddish – a player they won’t be paying. It’s unclear what value New York will ultimately be willing to accept in exchange for him just before the Feb. 9 deadline, but perhaps that’s a potential consideration from Dallas.
Want the latest news and inside information about the Dallas Mavericks? Click here.
Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.