The Dallas Mavericks are right in the thick of the NBA playoff picture in the Western Conference. They are five games behind the third-place Memphis Grizzlies and just as many games ahead of the 9th place Los Angeles Lakers.
With how crowded things are, the NBA trade deadline will present teams with a chance to separate themselves. Dallas will be looking to augment their roster, but they will also have an eye toward the offense while doing it.
The Mavericks are in a peculiar situation because of their salary cap. Things are going to get expensive with Luka Doncic’s max rookie extension kicking in at the start of the 2022-23 season. As a result, it will be difficult keeping all their impending free agents while remaining below the tax line.
Two key rotation players, Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith are heading into unrestricted free agency. Given their salary restraints, it could be difficult to re-sign both players this offseason as they are both looking to cash in on bigger contracts.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Dallas Mavericks To Keep Tabs On
Looking to avoid losing them in free agency without any compensation, both players have been mentioned as potential trade candidates ahead of the NBA trade deadline. The Mavericks don’t have the greatest assets to offer, but Brunson or Finney-Smith would be an excellent sweetener.
Alas, don’t expect to see Jalen Brunson involved in any deals. According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, during an appearance on The HoopsHype Podcast, it would take a shocking trade offer to get the Dallas Mavericks to include Brunson in a deal.
“According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on The Lowe Post podcast (h/t HoopsHype), a source said it would take a “what-the-bleep-are-they-thinking type of offer” to land Brunson via trade.”
Brunson has become an integral part of the team’s rotation. He was deployed as a backup point guard previously in his career and to start the season, but has moved into the starting lineup alongside Doncic, providing the team with the secondary ball-handler they have been seeking.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Dallas Mavericks To Keep Tabs On
Based on that report, it would sound as if retaining Jalen Brunson is the team’s No. 1 goal this offseason. They will have to withstand overtures from other teams around the league, such as the New York Knicks, as it doesn’t sound like they will be getting a discount to retain Brunson’s services.
