Dallas Mavericks Acquire: C Andre Drummond
Cleveland Cavaliers Acquire: C James Johnson*, C Dwight Powell*, G Tyrell Terry, DAL 2021 2nd Round Pick, DAL 2022 1st Round Pick, DAL 2025 1st Round Pick (lottery-Protected)
*Note: Johnson and Powell would likely be included in this trade with one or two other teams involved.
When you evaluate this trade, it is easy to think that the Cavaliers would not execute this trade for the fact that they do not want more big men. They have plenty of depth already in their frontcourt, hence why they would be trading Drummond in the first place.
Both James Johnson and Dwight Powell would tentatively be traded to the Cavaliers in this trade with likely one or two other teams being involved where they would eventually be traded to. Cleveland has not room for more centers or forwards, which is why Johnson and Powell would be finding new homes elsewhere.
Tyrell Terry on the other hand would be a Cleveland Cavaliers and brings a ton of upside with him. Terry was known for being a three-point specialist last season at Stanford and shot nearly 41% from three-point range.
The 31st overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has not played much at all this year for the Mavericks and likely would not play much with the Cavaliers should he be traded there. He is a guy that has a lot of potential to be a really reliable guard in the second-unit, but it will take time for him to get accustomed to the NBA, especially given his smaller stature.
For the Mavericks, getting Andre Drummond would be a dream come true for them because they desperately need some help in their frontcourt. Dallas currently ranks 27th in the NBA in rebounding and they really do not have any low-post threats.
Porzingis is more of a stretch big man and spends a lot of time out on the perimeter compared to most guys his size using their length and strength to score in the paint. As a result, acquiring Andre Drummond could open up the court more for the Mavericks and present even more one-on-one opportunities for Luka Doncic.
They would have to give up a lot of draft capital, but if the Mavericks are able to get Drummond from the Cavs, then they would be very much in the playoff picture and possibly be a contender in the Western Conference. Now, let’s take a closer look as to why this trade makes sense for both teams.
