A lot of people were shocked when the announcement was made that the Dallas Mavericks had completed a trade with the Washington Wizards before the NBA trade deadline. Not only was it a surprise that the team moved on from Kristaps Porzingis, but the package they received in return was eye-opening as well.
The Mavericks traded Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. It was a head-scratching deal, as both Dinwiddie and Bertans had been struggling mightily this season, to the point it was reported Wizards teammates no longer wanted Dinwiddie on the roster.
Not only were both players struggling, but Dallas was receiving no salary relief from this deal. They actually added some long-term salary as Bertans’ contract is a year longer than Kristaps Porzingis’s. Not to mention, they also included draft compensation despite Porzingis being the best player in the deal with All-Star upside Dinwiddie and Bertans don’t have.
It was a deal that many people panned, but thus far, the Dallas Mavericks have to be happy with the results. Unlike Kristaps Porzingis, Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans are both currently healthy and playing, which is a plus all in itself. Availability is the best ability, which is partly why Porzingis fell out of favor in Dallas.
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Not only are they healthy, but they are producing as well. Both players are thriving with a change of scenery, playing at a much higher level than they were with the Wizards.
Spencer Dinwiddie is averaging 14 points per game on 63.9 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from the 3-point line. Those percentages are likely unsustainable, but it is nice to see him get off to a hot start after how much he struggled in Washington.
He has provided a huge boost to the backcourt and second unit with Tim Hardaway Jr. sidelined by injury. Bertans has also re-found his shooting stroke in Dallas, knocking down 39.3 percent of his seven 3-point attempts per game. He is also playing better in other areas, as his PER is a strong 18.4 in four games with the Mavericks.
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Both played an integral part in the team’s come-from-behind win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday as well. Dinwiddie was unstoppable off the bench, pouring in 24 points and finishing the game with a plus/minus ratio of +17. Davis Bertans finished with a +15 as they helped erase a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit.
This is a deal that has made the Dallas Mavericks a deeper, more dangerous team despite the negative reactions it created at first. They filled some holes on the roster and look poised to make a run during the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.
