The Dallas Mavericks need to add some bigs this summer that can bring length and defense, and one NBA insider believes three specific impact talents could be on the team’s offseason wishlist.
The 2022-2023 NBA season for the Dallas Mavericks was a disaster. After reaching the Western Conference Finals last season, the team had a complete 180 turnaround. Jalen Brunson’s departure last summer ended up being a death blow to their title contender status, and the deadline trade for Kyrie Irving seemingly made the team worse.
With the team barely hovering near playoff contention in the final week of the season, the Dallas Mavericks organization chose to shut down their top players for the last few games and increase their chances of finishing in the bottom 10 of the NBA standings. The goal was to avoid having to send that pick to the New York Knicks as a last piece from a 2019 trade. Mission accomplished.
Now, with a top-10 pick in their pocket, the Mavs have an asset that could prove to be very valuable in potential trades this summer. With the team planning to re-sign Irving, they will be very limited in the money they can give out in NBA free agency. This means swinging a big trade to fill needs could be their best route to make impactful changes for next season.
Three big men the Dallas Mavericks could target this summer
Earlier this week, Bleacher Report NBA insider Eric Pincus spoke about the Dallas Mavericks situation heading into the offseason and speculated on three players they could target to vastly improve their frontcourt for 2023-2024.
“Assuming Irving returns, the Mavericks might have an eye (via trade) on Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton. Per NBA sources, Dallas also eyed Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner and Atlanta Hawks forward/center John Collins before the trade deadline.”
– Eric Pincus
Turner was reportedly on the trade block for months before he and the Indiana Pacers agreed to a new long-term extension. However, after the team finished poorly this season, he could be used as a chip to alter the roster. Collins has been up for grabs for just as long and many expect the Atlanta Hawks to finally pull the trigger on a trade this summer.
Ayton’s availability will depend on how the Phoenix Suns do in the NBA Playoffs this season. If they reach the Finals or actually win a title this year, it makes moving him less likely. However, if they are shocked and bounced early, the team could look to shake things up in the offseason and get out from under his massive contract.
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