Being one of the best defensive teams in the NBA this season and currently the 5-seed in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks definitely look like a team on the cusp of being a true contender.
However, their inconsistent play on offense and Tim Hardaway Jr. now being out indefinitely could really throw a wrench in Dallas’ plans for success heading into the second-half of the season.
On Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors, Tim Hardaway Jr. went up for a layup attempt and when he landed on his left leg, he immediately seemed to be in a considerable amount of pain and was having trouble putting any weight whatsoever on his left foot.
Shortly after being taken to the Mavericks’ locker room to undergo testing, the team announced that Hardaway suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal on his left foot.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Mavericks After Tim Hardaway Jr. Injury
NBA Insider Marc Stein noted after the news of Hardaway Jr.’s injury that this injury to past NBA players has usually taken around 10 weeks to heal, but Pelicans’ All-Star Zion Williamson has been out since the offseason with the same injury and has yet to play this season.
While he has struggled from deep this season, Tim Hardaway Jr. is one of the “go-to” scoring options on the Mavericks’ roster this season next to Luka Doncic, leaving them very short-handed right now.
Perimeter shooting has been a problem all year for the Mavericks, as they rank 25th in the league in three-point shooting percentage, which is why they could turn their attention to adding a high-level shooter ahead of the trade deadline. Trading for him would cost the Mavericks some money, but Buddy Hield is exactly what they need for their offense.
The Kings are open to making big moves ahead of the trade deadline this season and moving Hield could absolutely be one of these moves.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Mavericks After Tim Hardaway Jr. Injury
They have been looking to trade Buddy Hield dating back to last season and there was even a trade proposal on the table this offseason that would result in the sharpshooter going to the Lakers, but then trade talks stalled after Los Angeles opted to trade for Russell Westbrook instead.
Could the Mavericks be more inclined to make a big move ahead of the trade deadline now that Tim Hardaway Jr. could be out for the season? Let’s take a look at what a trade proposal for Buddy Hield could look like for Dallas.
