The Dallas Mavericks are having a solid start to the 2024-25 season, currently occupying the No. 4 seed in the West with a 16-9 record. They’ve lost some games they shouldn’t have on the margins, with seven of their nine losses this season coming in single-digit games. The team is well-equipped to contend with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving but could add another contending piece for their perimeter.
The New Orleans Pelicans hoped to make a push for a title when they made the bold summer move of adding Dejounte Murray to the roster. Unfortunately, injuries ruined their season before it got even started as they sit bottom of the West with a 5-20 record. This has prompted many to believe the Pelicans could be a selling team as they consolidate for a future run with a reshaped roster.
Herb Jones is considered to be one of the players who’ll attract the most interest, and he could be the perfect final piece for the Mavericks in their quest to win another title.
Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Herb Jones, Daniel Theis
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Daniel Gafford, Olivier Maxence-Prosper, 2031 First-Round Pick (DAL), 2025 Second-Round Pick (DAL)
The Mavericks have to feel some pain in acquiring an All-Defensive First-Team selection like Jones in his prime, which comes in the way of losing crucial center Daniel Gafford and a pick that will be due seven years from now. With the pick conveying when Luka Doncic is in his 14th NBA season and Kyrie Irving is likely retired or playing in Year 20 of his career, it carries significant value.
The Mavericks Add The Missing Piece
The Mavericks are a good team already. Among the teams in the NBA right now that don’t need to mess with their roster, Dallas ranks among the top. They have limited future assets and a set roster which works well, so making a major change in this position is new for the franchise. All previous major trades made by the current front office came when the team was struggling, but this deal would come from a position of strength and greater risk.
Jones is averaging 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game this season, having logged minutes at four positions already for the injury-stricken Pelicans. He was an All-Defensive First-Team selection last season and would be the perfect 3-and-D option for the Mavericks.
He would solve the only problem on the franchise’s starting five right now, which is point-of-attack defense. He’s capable of guarding almost every No. 1 option in the NBA, an asset the Mavs desperately need.
The Mavs have had to pick between shooting and defense in their lineups, although the emergence of players like PJ Washington, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes has shown the team has improved versatility this season. But adding Jones would be an easy solution for the Mavericks as he checks almost every box the Mavericks should want in a starting small forward, potentially relegating Klay Thompson to the bench.
The Pelicans Acquire Assets To Re-Tool
Out of all the players on the Pelicans roster, Jones might be the one with the most value. Brandon Ingram is hurt and on an expiring contract without fruitful extension negotiations, making him the likely headliner of the 2025 free agency class. Zion Williamson’s injury concerns have to be taken up as a habitual problem from which there’s no coming back, which means this dynamic duo might be on the outs.
If the team is preparing for the future, Daniel Gafford would be an excellent solution for their hole at center. He’s averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks this season, with the 26-year-old center being one of the most efficient finishers in the NBA over the last two seasons. The team is likely going to stick with Dejounte Murray for longer, so Gafford and Murray would be a winning combination next season, with Yves Missi getting a chance to develop.
Gafford has two years remaining on his contract, so the Pelicans maintain flexibility to continue shaping their roster. Olivier Maxence-Prosper recently broke into the Mavericks rotation while showing potential to be a solid NBA forward soon.
It’s time for a shake-up in New Orleans, and moving Jones for a valuable draft pick and good players could mark the beginning of a new era.
A Championship Push Cemented
The Mavericks could trot out a starting five with Luka, Kyrie, Herb, Washington, and Lively, which would be an extremely fierce two-way five the Mavericks could become unstoppable with.
The defensive ground that Herb covers will help the Mavericks increase the level of an already top-10 defense in the NBA to among the best, while the offense is boosted with a reliable shooter on the wings given Klay is misfiring while Grimes and Naji are inconsistent.
This would be a good long-term bet as Herb and Doncic could remain paired up for years if required, with Jones on an affordable $41.8 million contract until 2027. They are the favorites to land him and if they’re smart, they’d prioritize adding the perfect complementary piece like Herb instead of chasing after a star like Jimmy Butler.
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