The Dallas Mavericks put together a highly impressive first season with the Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis duo taking the NBA by storm. With the thought of pursuing a third star, could Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert be a potential option?
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, several rival executives have ‘pitched’ the Dallas Mavericks as a potential landing spot for Rudy Gobert in a trade.
Several rival executives have pitched the Mavs as a trade destination for Rudy Gobert, who is eligible for a supermax. I get the thinking — a rim-running center to stabilize Dallas’ shaky defense…”
The main concern Lowe has with the Mavericks pursuing a trade for Gobert is the cost. By his estimates, Dallas would have to pay Porzingis and Gobert a combined $65 million— too much for a frontcourt combination.
“Devoting $65 million combined to Gobert and Porzingis when the latter needs to play a good chunk at center is not optimal.”
The Mavericks put together a historic offensive season and it remains to be seen how inserting Rudy Gobert into the mix would impact things. It’s difficult to envision a lob threat with the incredible catch radius that Gobert has not helping Dallas continue to improve.
Playing with Kristaps Porzingis at the five spot does appear to be the best long-term route for the Dallas Mavericks to optimize their salary spending. Seeking to bolster the on-ball defensive capabilities of the unit without sacrificing perimeter shooting needs to be the priority.
It also goes without saying, the Dallas Mavericks view themselves as a potential landing spot for two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to form an elite duo with Luka Doncic. Tying up too much salary this offseason would make that potential option too difficult to pull off.
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