NBA Trade Rumors: 5 deals Dallas Mavericks need to make
By Tom West
5. Miles Plumlee
When it comes to defense, the Mavericks are a shade below average at 15th in the NBA in defensive efficiency. As for defense in the paint, Dallas are particularly weak. They rank 27th in opponent field goal percentage within five feet at a far too generous 60.8 percent (per NBA.com), which is where adding a tough center into the rotation could help.
Of course, having Dirk as a starter is going to impact defense. He’s never been an elite defender and at 37 years of age, that trait doesn’t exactly get any better. However, while McGee can get some powerful blocks at times, he isn’t a good defender in terms of fundamentals or general IQ. You only have to watch him play for longer than it takes to put his dunks in a Vine to figure that out.
Perhaps this is where the Mavericks could look into acquiring someone like Miles Plumlee. Who, judging by the Milwaukee Bucks’ state of available players, shouldn’t be too difficult. Gery Woelfel of Racine Sports Zone has reported that everyone besides their big three area up for trade:
"“From what I’m hearing is they (the Bucks) are willing to trade anybody not named Parker, Antetokounmpo or Middleton,’’ an NBA executive said. “I even heard they’d listen (to offers) for Parker and Middleton, but it would have to be some crazy offer. “They want to do something; they know they have to do something. That group they have isn’t working.’’"
In exchange for Plumlee, the Mavs could try sending one of their many guards (possibly Raymond Felton who has the draw of an expiring $4.5 million contract) to Milwaukee.
Plumlee only has a minimal role with the Milwaukee Bucks at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that he’s no use to Dallas. The Mavericks aren’t targeting franchise-changing players anyway, and Plumlee suffers from being on a team full of frontcourt talent. From Greg Monroe and Jabari Parker to John Henson, the Bucks have plenty of key big men, and the need for Plumlee is low. Plus, he’s on an expiring contract, and the Bucks won’t want to give him a pay rise for his small role.
That being said, he has quickness, he’s athletic, he’s averaging 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes this season, and he’s forcing players to shoot a highly impressive 11.1 percent lower than normal within six feet (per NBA.com). He won’t give you the kind of absent-minded moments that McGee does either, which is yet another bonus.
If the Bucks do keep Plumlee available as they rightfully should, he could be a low-value option for the Mavericks to consider.
Next: 4. Targeting the ideal backup big man