Latest Mavericks trade rumor would be a slam dunk in efforts to support Luka Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks are in desperate need to continue acquiring talent to throw support behind star Luka Doncic, and they appear to have a major focus on that this offseason. At least based on the rumors that have come to light, Dallas seems locked on both keeping Kyrie Irving and also adding playmakers to the mix who would mesh well with the duo.

The latest report that came to light about the Mavericks and their pursuit of an early-offseason trade would be a great move that makes an instant impact with the team. Most importantly, it'd be one that would directly help ease at least a bit of pressure off Doncic. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports revealed the Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks discussed a potential deal that included Davis Bertans and the No. 10 pick going to Atlanta in exchange for John Collins and the No. 15 selection.

Fischer did note that trade talks hadn't "progressed" at this time, but if the Mavericks can make this deal happen and only need to move back five spots in the draft while adding Collins, it'd be an excellent move.

Obviously, this is all hypothetical at this point, as it's unknown if the talks between the Mavericks and Hawks are even still happening. If Collins does head to Dallas, though, there's a real reason to believe he could step in and be what the Mavericks hoped Christian Wood could be, plus even a bit more.

While Wood was certainly held back a bit by some strange playing time and an interesting dynamic/approach by head coach Jason Kidd, he still managed to average 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. The big question was why he only averaged 25.9 minutes per game last season, which was nearly the same as Josh Green.

The inability to reach his full potential certainly isn't a knock on Wood, nor is he to fully blame for it, but if Kidd and the Mavericks coaching staff embrace and set Collins up for success, his ceiling is high. While last season was a disappointing one for the 25-year-old big man, as he averaged just 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, if Dallas could get even the median of his production in the four seasons prior, it'd be a massive impact.

From 2019 to 2022, Collins averaged 18.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and one block per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the field. He also knocked down a solid 37.9 percent of his three-point attempts, albeit on a limited number of attempts. Collins' fit with Doncic and Irving, which potentially would set him up to be the third option offensively, makes it a near-lock that he'd see a number of open looks and have the chance to thrive in Dallas.