The Dallas Mavericks are a team that will be looking for an upgrade ahead of the deadline on the NBA trade market. They were caught off guard when Jalen Brunson departed in free agency, signing a deal with the New York Knicks, which has left them short-handed regarding the supporting cast around Luka Doncic.
Dallas would love to add a co-star alongside him, but that is easier said than done. Adding that caliber of player at the deadline is unlikely as there aren’t really any available right now, and the Mavericks would struggle to make a competitive package compared to what other teams may be willing to offer.
Instead, the front office could be keeping its eyes open for some rotational upgrades for the team. Shoring up things in the frontcourt could be an option. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Detroit Pistons duo of Bojan Bogdanovic and Nerlens Noel could be on Dallas’ radar.
Bogdanovic would provide the Mavericks with another elite floor spacer to put around Doncic so that their offense operates at maximum capacity. He is averaging a career-high 21.5 points per game and knocking down 42.3 percent of his 3-point attempts, That makes him an ideal fit as a third option behind Doncic and Christian Wood.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Noel would help shore things up at the center spot where JaVale McGee has been a bust. The Mavericks signed him in free agency early on and he has already seen his playing time get cut dramatically as he sporadically plays.
If Dallas is ready to move on from him altogether, Noel would provide them with that opportunity. When healthy, Noel has proven to be a legitimate difference-maker on the defensive end of the court, something the Mavericks certainly need more of. The team currently ranks 25th in defensive rating.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Dallas needs to make a move of some sort to cement their standing in the congested Western Conference. The Mavericks, at 25-24 and in fifth place, are closer to the 13th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers than the third-place Sacramento Kings. One skid, and they could find themselves on the outside looking in at the Play-In Tournament.
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