SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – APRIL 28: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks drives past Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 28, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
At the time of writing this, the Dallas Mavericks are on the brink of elimination in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Phoenix Suns have them on the ropes, and by the time this article is published, the Mavs may have been eliminated.
Regardless, it’s become abundantly clear that Dallas is a piece or two away from being a legitimate title contender. This year’s free agency class isn’t slated to be particularly strong, but Dallas should still look to improve.
If they can’t land anybody in free agency, the trade market is projected to be ripe with available players. The point is that there will be opportunities for Dallas to improve.
Luka Doncic is good enough to carry a team on his own without a true co-star, but he still needs a strong supporting cast. Who can the Mavericks add this summer to help him out?
3 trade targets for the Dallas Mavericks to help Luka Doncic: Rudy Gobert
Let’s just start off with the obvious. Rudy Gobert and the Dallas Mavericks have been connected ever since the rumors came out that he could potentially be on the trade block this summer.
The Mavs’ center position is solid as a whole, but they don’t have a true starter. Both Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber are quality rotation pieces, but neither is the starting-quality big man that Doncic deserves.
Adding Gobert to the lineup would not only enhance Dallas’ already great defense, but it would also give Doncic a true rim-running option to catch lobs.
Gobert has never been a great offensive big man, but as seen with Steven Adams in Oklahoma City, putting an elite playmaker next to a big, brawny center is a one-way ticket to easy offense.
Dallas Mavericks are on the brink of elimination in the Western Conference Semifinals. The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/phoenix-suns/">Phoenix Suns have them on the ropes, and by the time this article is published, the Mavs may have been eliminated.</p>
<p>Regardless, it’s become abundantly clear that Dallas is a piece or two away from being a legitimate title contender. This year’s free agency class isn’t slated to be particularly strong, but Dallas should still look to improve.</p>
<p>If they can’t land anybody in free agency, the trade market is projected to be ripe with available players. The point is that there will be opportunities for Dallas to improve.</p>
<p>Luka Doncic is good enough to carry a team on his own without a true co-star, but he still needs a strong supporting cast. Who can the Mavericks add this summer to help him out?</p>
<h2>3 trade targets for the Dallas Mavericks to help Luka Doncic: Rudy Gobert</h2>
<p>Let’s just start off with the obvious. Rudy Gobert and the Dallas Mavericks <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/dallas-mavs-rudy-gobert-utah-jazz-offseason-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have been connected</a> ever since the rumors came out that he could potentially be on the trade block this summer.</p>
<p>The Mavs’ center position is solid as a whole, but they don’t have a true starter. Both Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber are quality rotation pieces, but neither is the starting-quality big man that Doncic deserves.</p>
<p>Adding Gobert to the lineup would not only enhance Dallas’ already great defense, but it would also give Doncic a true rim-running option to catch lobs.</p>
<p>Gobert has never been a great offensive big man, but as seen with Steven Adams in Oklahoma City, putting an elite playmaker next to a big, brawny center is a one-way ticket to easy offense.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Trade Target #2 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_444978" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-full wp-image-444978" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2297,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1364266548.jpeg" alt="Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic" width="3200" height="2297" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1364266548.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1364266548-768x551.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 09: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks guards Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center on January 09, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>3 trade targets for the Dallas Mavericks to help Luka Doncic: Derrick Jones Jr.</h2>
<p>This is the most intriguing of the three options listed in this article, and it’s also the oddest. Derrick Jones Jr. hasn’t managed to find a home on any team he’s been on, but maybe the Dallas Mavericks could be that home.</p>
<p>Jones Jr. has never been a great three-point shooter, which has always been the biggest knock on his game. However, he’s coming off a career-best year, as he shot 32.8% from range.</p>
<p>However, if the Mavs were to trade for Jones Jr., his primary role would not be as a floor-spacer. Instead, Dallas should experiment with putting him in a similar role to the one Javonte Green plays right now for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/chicago-bulls/">Chicago Bulls.</p>
<p>Green spends most of his time in the corner or in the dunker spot, just waiting for his time to strike. With an elite playmaker like Luka Doncic at the helm, this is a role Jones Jr. could play as well.</p>
<p>With his absurd athleticism, Jones Jr.’s main focus would be to set screens and catch lobs from Doncic and play the energetic defense he already provides.</p>
<p>It’s definitely a weird proposition, but Jones Jr. could be a buy-low option for the Mavs with the limited free agency pool. And if it works out, he could end up being an underrated contributor.</p>
<p>Jones Jr. would have to opt into his player option for this deal to happen, but he likely will. Exploring a trade for Jones Jr. could be a worthwhile option if and when that happens.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Trade target #3 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_444979" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-full wp-image-444979" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1358337758.jpeg" alt="Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1358337758.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1358337758-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 10, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>3 offseason targets for the Dallas Mavericks to help Luka Doncic: Myles Turner</h2>
<p>Similar to the idea of Rudy Gobert, adding Myles Turner to the team would give the Dallas Mavericks an improved interior presence. He missed the end of last season, but he’s a versatile threat on both sides of the floor when healthy.</p>
<p>Obviously, Turner’s defensive impact would give the Mavericks a massive boost. He’s been one of the league’s top shot-blockers for the past few years and would be Dallas’ primary paint protector.</p>
<p>If Turner were to join the squad, the Mavs would have someone to guard opposing bigs. Although, he may not be beefy enough to go up against some of the league’s bigger centers.</p>
<p>Offensively, Turner provides a lot. He’s big enough to be a valid pick-and-roll option next to Luka Doncic, but he also provides some unique skills at the center position.</p>
<p>Turner is one of the better floor-spacing bigs in the NBA. He shoots the three-ball at 34.9% throughout his career, including a 33.3% three-point percentage this past season.</p>
<p>Adding Turner to the Mavs’ offensive set would simply give Doncic one more tool to play with. He could have the expanded role he’s always looked for as Doncic’s go-to guy on the roll and in pick-and-pop situations.</p>
<p>Whether or not the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/indiana-pacers/">Indiana Pacers will be open to trading Turner is another question. However, if the Mavs can put together an enticing offer, it would be well worth it.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="3 landing spots for Miles Bridges that aren’t the Hornets" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/miles-bridges-charlotte-hornets/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/13/trade-dallas-mavericks-luka-doncic/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/12/miles-bridges-charlotte-hornets/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 3 landing spots for Miles Bridges that aren’t the Hornets </a> </div>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—>">