Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline 2019: 5 trades to help the Mavericks build for a Doncic future

By Chris Manning

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on December 18, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 18: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on December 18, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 21: HaThe trrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 21, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 21: HaThe trrison Barnes #40 of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 21, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

As currently constructed, the Mavs could create a maximum of $54 million in cap space, per Early Bird Rights. A barrier to that is Harrison Barnes’ player option for next season, worth just north of $25 million. If they were able to get off of his deal and flip it in exchange for expiring contract, Dallas suddenly has money to play with this summer either to sign free agents, be it big-name ones or a collection of really good players. The problem is that Dallas needs another team willing to eat some money to make it happen.

Enter the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs are really, really bad and aren’t close to being good again. At this point in time, they are the exact type of team Dallas needs because, in exchange for assets, they are willing to take on contracts other teams don’t want. Cleveland also happens to have some expiring contracts and a player in exile with a small guarantee on this deal for next season.

Next. Meet the 2018 NBA 25-under-25. dark

The trick here is that this deal has to occur after Alec Burks can be traded in combination with another player on Jan. 29. When that happens, the Mavericks could flip Barnes for Burks, J.R. Smith (who only has a small guarantee on his deal for next season) and Rodney Hood (on an expiring deal). Dallas doesn’t seem like a playoff team at this time, so getting players who are probably worse than Barnes isn’t a big deal. And while cap space isn’t a guarantee of anything, and the Mavericks don’t have a history of landing the big free agents even when they’ve already agreed to a deal, it’s better to have it than to not have it.

One potential hang-up: Rodney Hood has a no-trade clause because he’s playing on his qualifying offer. So if he viewed Dallas as a fit, he could end the whole arrangement. But playing on a) a better team and b) with Doncic is likely more appealing than playing on the worst team in the NBA.

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