Luka Doncic He is one of the best players in the NBA today, a statement that should surprise no one at this point. The Slovenian is in the battle to be the top scorer (33.4) while averaging almost a triple-double with 8.9 rebounds and 8.3 assists. No one has accumulated more 50+ games this season and night after night he makes it clear that he is virtually indefensible. And even with everything, Dallas Mavericks They are not able to pass 55% wins. look for a transfer it becomes more than necessary and towards the trade deadline everything is possible.
However, the Mavs find themselves in a situation that is not easy to solve. The western conference It is more compacted and competitive than ever, with 4 distance games between the 4th classified and the 13th. An equality that generates great variations in the positions from day to day and makes it very difficult to have perspective of the moment of a specific team.
If we add to this the fact that Dallas barely has assets with which to go in search of a transfer, things get complicated for Jason Kidd’s team.
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Throughout Doncic’s time in the NBA and more specifically since his explosion in 2020, the Mavs have barely made any efforts to give the Slovenian a favorable context to reach the top. Management operations have been conspicuous by his absence, rather they have been patches to past problems or a consequence of his own inactivity. Now, in his fifth season, at a level worthy of MVP, it is more than evident that the former Real Madrid player is not enough.
Luka Doncic needs help and the Dallas Mavericks have to provide itso it is time to take a look at the realistic options that the Texans could explore in the transfer market.
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John Collins
- Dallas receives: John Collins
- Atlanta receives: Dorian Finney-Smith, Reggie Bullock, Protected Round 1 of 2025, Round 2 of 2025, and Round 2 of 2027
Although Landry Fields, the new GM of the Hawks, has reaffirmed his commitment to keep Collins in the team, Marc Stein reported that they will explore their options until the end of the transfer market. In other words, if a good offer arrives, they will not hesitate. Other teams like the Pacers, Pelicans and Jazz probably have more future players or assets to trade with, but what Atlanta really needs is to improve its bench right now.
Dorian Finney-Smith y Reggie Bullock They are not going to get them out of mediocrity, but they would be very interesting additions to make them more balanced. If the rounds that accompany the operation in Atlanta are added to this, they could be more than satisfied.
Meanwhile, on the Mavs side, Collins would give a greater packaging to the main quintet of the Texans. In this way they could close the games with Doncic, Dinwiddie, Hardaway Jr, Collins and Wood, a step forward compared to today. They would lose depth and defense by getting rid of two key names for Kidd in that sense, but they would gain a mobile four with projection in the long term.
Bojan Bogdanovic
- dallas receives: Bojan Bogdanovic
- Detroit receives: Tim Hardaway Jr, Josh Green, 2025 Lottery Protected 1st Round & 2027 Top 10 Protected 1st Round
The Pistons seem to be going to replicate the strategy they followed with Jerami Grant when looking for a new destination with Bogdanović. And the truth is that it makes all the sense in the world. the croatian He renewed his contract last September and it quickly became clear that his future did not pass through Detroit due to his high level compared to that of the team. There were many franchises that tried to get the forward but none have reached the price that the Pistons seem to have put on Bogey.
Dallas does not have many assets Draft with which to trade and, at the same time, the use of the ones available to you is limited by the different rules of election transfers. That means that if they want to get any player and include any round they have to look to the distant future.
In this potential operation the Mavs would lose two First Rounds in exchange for a 33 year old player. From the outside it may seem like too high a price to pay for a veteran, but Bogdanovic has proven to be someone capable of making an impact in winning contexts and taking on a bigger role when needed. Also, Dallas doesn’t have much to gain from a Draft standpoint, especially if Doncic remains just as competitive.
Bogdanovic would give the Mavericks everything they need both in this campaign and the next, and the price to pay would soon be forgotten. On the other hand, what the Pistons are interested in are the rounds, so the sporting return in the form of players is rather secondary.
Collin Sexton
- Dallas receives: Collin Sexton
- utah receives: Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Green, 2nd Round of 2025 and 2nd Round of 2027
Utah Jazz is an unknown quantity heading into this trade deadline. They’re still in the playoff battle, but their project seems more likely to rebuild and they have plenty of assets to trade. If they decide to be sellers, in Dallas they should soon call to ask the price of one of their players.
One of them would have to be Collin Sexton. The former Cavs player is someone very limited offensively and whose weaknesses outshine his strengths, but given the market situation in Texas they can’t aspire much higher. In addition, as reported by Shams Charania, one of the groups interested in Dorian Finney-Smith it’s the one in Salt Lake City, so the operation would have some foundation on which to settle.
Sexton has three seasons left on his contract and would be a terrific addition to the second unit in the role that before had Jalen Brunson. The Georgia native has lowered his offensive contribution after his injury (14.3) but he has raised his percentages, especially three (41.8%).
D’Angelo Russell
- Dallas receives: D’Angelo Russell
- Minnesota receives: Christian Wood y Dorian Finney-Smith
It is clear that D’Angelo Russell is not the All-Star that in 2019 seemed like he was here to stay, but he is still a more than excellent starter. The ex of Lakers and Nets has been surpassed by Anthony Edwards and the latest transfer from Wolves has put him in the spotlight. If we add to this that the Karl-Anthony Towns injury has dealt a heavy blow to Minnesota this could be an operation with some sense in the context of the deadline.
The Wolves need to reinforce the position of four by not having KAT, who does not have a return date with 2 months to go until the end of the Regular Season. Also, their outside defense leaves a lot to be desired, so Finney-Smith and Wood would fit in perfectly in cold Minnesota.
On Dallas’ side, Russell would help in those minutes when Doncic doesn’t play and would give him the option to lower his usage rate considerably in the Regular Season.
D’Angelo has managed to triple his percentage to place him in the 38,6% and also the contract ends, so it offers them the possibility of trying it out and deciding whether to renew it or not.
Cam Reddish
- Dallas receives: Cam Reddish
- New York receives: Reggie Bullock and 2nd Round of 2025
putting the feet on the ground it is very likely that the Mavs end up content with Cam Reddish in this trade deadline. And even with everything, that would be an interesting addition to help Doncic offload offensive responsibilities and thus give more dynamism to the attack.
The number 10 of the 2019 Draft has not lived up to expectations either in the Hawks or in the Knicks, but there is still room for hope. The shooting guard has played only 20 games this season with 8.4 average points and would help give consistency to Dallas’ second unit.
The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
