Does this trade make sense for the Dallas Mavericks?
The Dallas Mavericks need some more talent on their roster if they are to try and make it out of the first round of the playoffs this year and Mitchell Robinson is a solid, affordable option for them to target this season. Whether they keep him past this year or not, the Mavericks would benefit in a couple of different ways by adding Robinson.
The value he brings to their frontcourt is more than they currently have right now with that of Dwight Powell as their starting center. Powell is still trying to get his legs under him after tearing his Achilles in 2020 and is not the same impactful center he once looked to be.
Mitchell Robinson is not only a better rebounder than that of Powell, but he is an avid rim protector as well. So far this season, Robinson is averaging 1.6 blocks per game and for his career, he has averaged 2.0 blocks per game.
Pairing him with Porzingis, who is currently blocking 1.6 blocks per game, makes the Mavericks one of the best rim-protecting teams in the league, especially since they can start Porzingis alongside Robinson.
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Along with improving defensively, the Mavericks would also be saving themselves some money by moving Maxi Kleber. He has been impactful this year, but Kleber is owed $17.7M through next season, with the final year of his contract next season being non-guaranteed.
The Mavericks could possibly waive him in the offseason to save money, but they are much better trading for value in Robinson and then deciding on the young big man’s future.
Mitchell Robinson could be a player they look to build around long-term in their frontcourt, but if they decide they do not want to extend him long-term, they would always have the option of potentially doing a sign-and-trade to not only create a trade exception but bring in some more value to their roster.
If the New York Knicks look to move Mitchell Robinson ahead of the trade deadline, then the Dallas Mavericks will definitely be a team interested, even though they have a lot of talent at the center position already.
