Dallas Mavericks Trade Rumors: Cashing in on Washington dysfunction?

The Washington Wizards are looking to unload much of their roster this season, might the Dallas Mavericks cash in?

Don’t look now but the Dallas Mavericks are a playoff contender. With the win over the Boston Celtics, the Mavs move back to a cool .500 – a feat that seemed like a pipe dream only a month ago. And if it wasn’t for their painfully poor start to the season, they’d be at the top of the conference standings right now.

That’s how close the race is and that’s how hot the Mavs have been as of late (winners in six of the last seven).

Assuming the Dallas Mavericks will stay in the thick of the playoff hunt over the winter, one can reasonably assume they will be players on the trade market. While Mark Cuban has been adamant about keeping cap space clear for next summer’s free agency, he’s not adverse to wheeling and dealing if the right offer came up.

Enter Washington.

The Washington Wizards are in nightmare situation right now and have stated their willingness to cut bait with some roster cornerstones. Going nowhere fast, the Wizards are bogged down with expensive contracts and massive disappointment. This is the kind of situation where deals are made and players can be acquired for pennies on the dollar.

So who might be available to the Dallas Mavericks?

The three main players in Washington are John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter. From a talent perspective, all three would help a fringe team like the Mavs. But it doesn’t take a long look to see the problems with such a trade proposal.

First, we need to eliminate John Wall from the conversation. He’s a fantastic player but he’s about to start a 4-year $170 million deal that will pay him through 2022-2023 season (and at a rate of $47 million that last year). I find it hard to believe ANYONE would be willing to take on that contract unless it meant dumping multiple poor contracts back on the Wiz in return.

More from Dallas Mavericks

• The Dallas Mavericks accomplished a lot on Draft Day
• Mavericks pairing Luka Doncic and Draymond Green a technical (foul) disaster
• Can the Mavericks steal Deandre Ayton from cap-strapped Suns?
• Dallas Mavericks: Top-5 options for the Mavs to explore in the NBA Draft
• Dallas Mavericks can’t keep pick No. 10 in the NBA Draft

Bradly Beal is widely considered the most attractive option in Washington. The only problem is Washington knows this and will be asking for a lot in return. Despite the down season, Beal is an established star in this league. He’s going to help someone significantly and there will be a bidding war for his services. Of all the players on the market right now, he’s the most attractive around the NBA.

“Do you really think the Dallas Mavericks have the best trade package to offer”, I asked myself. “Hell no,” I answered myself.  Even with Dennis Smith Jr included in the deal someone else is going to have a better trade package.

Which brings us to Otto Porter Jr – the thinking man’s target in Washington. Porter is high on a lot of lists as well. He’s a true 3-and-D guy on the wing and exactly what the Mavs need in their porous perimeter defense.

The main problem with Porter is his goofy contract structure (more on that at a later date). But then again, that prohibitive structure may take some cost conscious teams out of the equation, and make him the most attainable option to Dallas.

Love the Mavs? Join our writing team!

At the end of the day, none of these three players are great fits for the Dallas Mavericks. At least not as far as the cost it would take to get them and not at the cost of cap space next summer. All are fine players who would help mightily but I don’t think Mark Cuban is interested in messing up his cap space for free agency for these guys.

• Published on 11/27/2018 at 18:01 PM
• Last updated at 11/27/2018 at 13:49 PM