The Dallas Mavericks have a title-contending roster on paper. Led by the superstar duo of Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, the Mavs’ roster features a blend of experienced veterans, reliable role players, and gifted young talent. All things considered, the Mavericks have a fairly solid rotation in place.
Although this roster appears to be a competitor in the West, the conference has seen several teams make significant improvements to their roster. With the likes of the Nuggets and the Rockets emerging as challengers to the Thunder’s top spot, the Mavs would benefit from making some necessary upgrades.On this note, Dallas could consider making an interesting move to improve their overall roster strength. With Andrew Wiggins garnering significant interest in trade rumors with the Los Angeles Lakers, we present a trade idea for the Mavericks to swoop in and pick up the Miami Heat forward before the Purple and Gold.
Proposed Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Andrew Wiggins
Miami Heat Receive: Klay Thompson, Caleb Martin, 2029 first-round pick swap (LAL)
How Can Wiggins Help The Mavs?
The Lakers have a good reason for showing interest in acquiring Andrew Wiggins. Given what the forward is capable of providing, the Mavs may also see some benefit in trading for him.
The Heat forward is widely considered one of the best two-way players in the league. While possessing tremendous physical tools and athleticism, Wiggins also showcases tremendous versatility on the offensive end.
Given his ability to play different roles, Wiggins could easily fit into the rotation either as a perimeter threat or a reliable shot-creator. The uptick in his production since joining the Heat has been a positive indicator of his ability to be a contributor on offense.
During his 17-game stint with Miami, he averaged 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. He shot 45.8% from the field, 36.0% from three, and 73.1% from the free-throw line, displaying efficiency in scoring.
Wiggins’ addition could be significant for Dallas, at least during the early segment of the season. With Irving sidelined, the Mavericks are expected to see a drastic shortfall in offensive production.
Although this places the onus of carrying the offense on Anthony Davis, the big man’s injury-prone nature raises concerns about his ability to remain healthy for extended periods of time. To address this, having a player like Wiggins bear the burden of being the second option on offense could be helpful.
Additionally, adding a player like Wiggins could also allow the Mavericks to experiment with a different starting lineup, with Cooper Flagg in the shooting guard spot.
With an upgrade on perimeter defense, the Mavericks could benefit from Wiggins’ defensive upside, primarily to cover up for Flagg’s relative inexperience against NBA-quality offense.
By relegating PJ Washington to the bench, the Mavs effectively strengthen their second unit, too. With added depth, Dallas boasts the potential to challenge the top teams in the West once Irving returns.
What Does Miami Gain?
This deal may not be as favorable for the Heat as it is for the Mavericks, but there is still merit for them. The addition of a first-round pick swap may not be viewed highly, but acquiring Klay Thompson and a former Heat player in Caleb Martin could still have value.
Thompson, in particular, could be considered a solid addition. Even at this stage in his career, the four-time NBA champion has proven himself to be a contributor. Last season with the Mavericks, Thompson averaged 14.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, while shooting 41.2% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc.
The Heat currently have a lot of talented young guards in their rotation. With the addition of Norman Powell this summer, they have also increased their potential for offensive production.
While they are solid all-around, the Heat will see a drop-off in their perimeter shooting, especially with Duncan Robinson’s departure in free agency. On this note, acquiring a reliable 3-and-D player like Klay Thompson could be beneficial, especially in a more limited capacity off the bench.
Along with Thompson, the Heat would also see the arrival of Caleb Martin, a former Heat player. Martin was a key rotation player during his time with the Heat, even making two deep playoff runs with the team, featuring one trip to the NBA Finals.
The 29-year-old played in a reduced role with the Mavs, resulting in reduced output. Still, he put up a respectable average for the season, with 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, while shooting 42.4% overall and 35.9% from three-point range.
Martin’s familiarity with Spoelstra’s system could be incredibly valuable. Given his reputation as a key role player, the forward is capable of contributing off the bench in the capacity of a defender, as well as a scoring threat.
As constructed, the Heat are a very young team with a lot of potential. While they are in a position to compete against the top teams in the East, the influx of veteran experience, especially with Thompson’s championship pedigree, could have an impact on the roster’s development.
The Mavericks Need Irving Back In Action
Dallas has all the right pieces in place. The only concern is associated with their ability to remain healthy. At 18 years old, Flagg is a promising young talent. But expecting him to carry this team on his own, should Davis succumb to injury, could be a bit of a stretch.
The regular season will bring challenges of its own. With teams in the West posing as difficult matchups, the emphasis falls upon Dallas’ star big man and its veterans to lead the way. But to be contenders, Dallas will need Irving back in action.
The star guard has shown remarkable progress with recovery, with videos showing him engaging in light on-court workouts. In this regard, Dallas will remain hopeful following the guard’s claims of being ahead of schedule with recovery.