The Dallas Mavericks were tabbed as one of the likeliest destinations for the Toronto Raptors Pascal Siakam, but the two-time ALL-NBA player will go to the Indiana Pacers as the first trade ahead of the deadline.
With Siakam off the board, the Mavs will pursue several options to bolster the roster. A critical need for Dallas to address is the rebounding department, and several players closely linked to the team offer significant upside.
Most experts believe the Mavs are pursuing the Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins. While Wiggins may be a significant contributor to the offense, several aspects of any deal may become impassable roadblocks.
The biggest challenge will be contractual. Wiggins is currently in the first year of a four-year extension with the Warriors. The four-year deal totals $109 million, and Dallas would need to pony up to make the deal happen.
There are also questions about Wiggins’ performance this season. His season average is just 11.9 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, and 15 assists. The 28-year-old two-way forward is also shooting at career lows from beyond the arc.
As Joseph Zucker with Bleacher Report points out, if Wiggins were putting up the numbers he was during 2022 and 2023, he “would be a no-brainer for Dallas.” Instead, the Mavs might pass on Wiggins in search of a more value-adding option.
Portland’s Jeremi Grant and Washington’s Kyle Kuzma have both been mentioned as possible targets to add size and improve rebounding. Kuzma’s 22.4 points per game, 34.8 percent three-point shooting, and 6.3 rebounds are all better numbers than Wiggins.
Grant’s 3.4 rebounds per game are on the low side for Dallas’ needs, but his accuracy from the field (45.9 ppg) and beyond the arc (41.2 ppg) could add firepower to the Mavs and help close out close games.
Andre Drummond is another player that is linked to the Mavs trade needs ahead of the deadline. The big man center stands at 6’11” and has the ideal combination of skills and speed to immediately help the Mavs out of the NBA’s basement in rebounds. His 8.5 rebounds per contest is a phenomenal number, particularly when considering that he is playing an average of just 16 minutes.
Acquiring Drummond may not be a possibility for Dallas without sacrificing significant capital and players. The team has indicated that 19-year-old rookie phenom Dereck Lively II will not be hitting the trade lines. It also would be unlikely to see Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving become available as these three players are key to any chance Dallas has to make a serious run at the playoffs.
With three weeks remaining before the deadline, Dallas has plenty of time to survey the field and try to work a deal to improve the roster.
