Fansided

20 early NBA trades we really want to see

By Ti Windisch

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 20: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 20: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 26: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum on October 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Grizzlies defeated the Mavericks 96-91. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 26: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum on October 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Grizzlies defeated the Mavericks 96-91. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Embracing the tank, part one

Mavericks Get
Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, Lottery-protected first round pick
Jazz Get
Harrison Barnes

The Dallas Mavericks are terrible. The Mavs are on pace to be the NBA’s worst team when all is said and done with the 2017-18 season, and that isn’t likely to change much by the end of Harrison Barnes’ current deal with the team.

So, why not get something for Barnes? His contract is sizable, but that’s just part of life in the Association these days. The Utah Jazz have a hole at forward after losing Gordon Hayward in the summer, and although Joe Ingles has played well he can’t do what Hayward can on offense.

Barnes might not be able to either, but he proved he can be a go-to scoring option with Dallas last season. For some reason it just feels as though he would fit in really well on the Jazz. Barnes is a grinder, and swapping him in for Derrick Favors in the starting five would make Utah much more flexible against smaller teams.

Favors and Alec Burks aren’t that enticing, hence the first round pick Utah throws in here to make the deal work. The Jazz likely don’t want to give up on any picks given the success Utah has found in the NBA Draft, but one pick seems a worthwhile price to pay for a player as good as Barnes.

The Mavericks, in addition to adding another draft pick to their war chest, get extra salary flexibility too. Favors’ deal is over after this season, and Burks’ expires after the next one. Barnes still has this and two seasons left, and as good as he is he can’t do enough to make Dallas good right now.

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