Myles Turner is one of the biggest names mentioned around the NBA when it comes to potential trades ahead of the NBA trade deadline next month. The Dallas Mavericks, who are currently without a star center, have been mentioned as a potential destination for Turner, with players like Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr. cited as options to include in a trade.
Now, the latest rumors are suggesting that Dallas are the ‘favorites’ to land Turner before the deadline. According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, the Mavericks are seen by executives around the league as the team with the best chance of acquiring the Indiana Pacers star (via Grant Afseth of Fan Nation).
“Several competing executives (assuming Turner’s injury isn’t severe) believe the Mavericks are the favorite for Turner with Powell and one of Finney-Smith or (Jalen) Brunson. Dallas’ willingness to part with Finney-Smith or Brunson may come down to each player’s free-agent expectations.”
Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith are both out of contract at the end of this season and will likely demand hefty contracts from whoever chooses to sign them. Whether the Mavs want to keep a hold of the two players depends on whether a reasonable deal can be worked out between them and the franchise.
Dallas is currently sitting in the 5th seed spot in the Western Conference, having found form to start the new year despite Luka Doncic not playing up to the standards he has set in his first three years in the league. It has long been thought that they need to make an upgrade to their roster if they want to seriously challenge for an NBA championship.
Turner himself is only under contract till the end of the 2022-23 season, something the Mavericks will have to consider if they do end up taking the plunge on a trade. Turner is from Texas himself though, having been born and raised there, which could be one of the things that has made the Mavericks supposed favorites to sign him.
