The Next Blockbuster Trade The Dallas Mavericks Can Make After Acquiring Kyrie Irving

The Dallas Mavericks made one of the biggest trades in recent memory as they acquired 8-time All-Star and former NBA champion Kyrie Irving. It was rather shocking to see the deal go through, especially because there might have been even more offers on the table for the services of the 2016 champion. The point guard is expected to make the Mavericks a much better team because his partnership with Luka Doncic will make waves in the Western Conference. Irving, despite criticism of his off-court comments and ideas, is posting 27.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 5.3 APG this season for the 32-20 Brooklyn Nets.

Irving has been winning many games with the Nets, so it is a shocker why he would want to leave, especially with Kevin Durant by his side. Regardless, the Dallas Mavericks had to take a risk and go after Irving because a player of his caliber hardly becomes available. Dallas has taken a big step in the West, but they might not be done just yet. Despite having two of the most talented offensive players in the league, the Mavericks must continue to make trades to ensure they finish with a top-3 seed in the West.

Luckily, there are major moves the Mavericks can make to improve the roster before the February 9th trade deadline. Teams are still looking to discuss changes over the next few days, and there are three major packages that Dallas can entertain to improve their team and actually create a dynamic Big Three. As great as Luka and Kyrie look on paper, they will need a bit more help to make the NBA Finals because the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Clippers are all title contenders this year. Here are the three packages the Dallas Mavericks can entertain to add to the pairing of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

A New Starting Power Forward

Dallas Mavericks Receive: John Collins

Atlanta Hawks Recieve: Christian Wood, Dwight Powell, 2027 First-Round Pick

John Collins has been in trade rumors over the past few seasons. By all accounts of what he can do on both ends of the floor, John Collins is a very nice player. He has a soft touch on the inside and can be a go-to scorer when needed, along with strong ability on the boards. Averaging a career 16.1 PPG and 8.2 RPG makes the 25-year-old a very nice asset for almost every team, and the Hawks could cash in on him before the trade deadline. Collins is not particularly thriving right now with the Hawks, however.

The power forward’s numbers are down as he is posting 13.2 PPG and 7.4 RPG on 51.0% from the field, 25.3% from three, and 78.9% from the free-throw line. Collins has tremendous upside as a talented inside-outside scorer and a defensive player, and he could benefit from playing alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Without disrespect to Trae Young, who is a bona fide star, he is not on Luka’s level as an all-around player, and Collins could benefit from that when he gets better looks. There is certainly a difference between a double-team and a triple-team on the court.

While the Dallas Mavericks could use Collins’ paint presence, the Atlanta Hawks could also add two nice pieces and a first-round pick to shift the roster around a bit. The Hawks need to get Trae Young some help, and Christian Wood gives the team a capable two-way big who fits better alongside Trae. It is obvious that the Hawks want to move Collins, so replacing him with Wood, a backup center in Powell, and a first-round pick could benefit them now and in the long term. With a new addition on the perimeter and inside, the Mavericks look more athletic with this trade.

The Only Massive Upgrade On The Perimeter Available

Dallas Mavericks Receive: DeMar DeRozan

Atlanta Hawks Recieve: Tim Hardaway Jr, Dwight Powell, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2029 First-Round Pick

DeMar DeRozan is still one of the best scorers in the NBA, as he is averaging 26.0 PPG and 5.0 APG for the Chicago Bulls this season. DeRozan played so well that he has made the last two All-Star Teams in a crowded Eastern Conference with tons of talent on the wing. Even when he prefers to score from the mid-range rather than from three, he is a very capable star in today’s NBA. DeRozan is a go-to scoring option that Luka Doncic would relish playing alongside.

To get this deal over the line, the Mavericks need to lose two valuable role players and two first-round picks to create one of the most exciting Big Threes in the NBA. DeRozan is an elite mid-range scorer, something that allows versatility in the Mavericks’ offense. Kyrie (37.4%), Luka (35.3%), and Reggie Bullock (36.4%) are capable three-point shooters, so they should be able to make up for DeMar’s relative inefficiency from three (32.9%). The point is to acquire a third All-Star to create scoring opportunities and add athleticism on the wing.

The Bulls rebuild with Dwight Powell becoming a free agent this summer and Tim Hardaway Jr only having two more seasons on the books. Of course, Hardaway Jr is far less talented than DeRozan, and the Bulls will continue to lose games as a result. Overall, this package greatly benefits the Mavericks because adding a 26.0 PPG scorer alongside two superstars will boost Dallas as the team to beat in the West on paper.

Mavericks Add Size And Star Power Down Low

Dallas Mavericks Receive: Pascal Siakam

Atlanta Hawks Recieve: Christian Wood, Dwight Powell, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2029 First-Round Pick

Pascal Siakam is among the most valuable players in the trade market because he is only 28 years old with a ton of experience in the playoffs already. He can score inside, shoot the ball, and play solid defense in the post. Siakam was an All-Star in 2020 and has a lot left in the tank as a two-way star. This season, the Cameroonian is posting 24.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 0.6 BPG while shooting 46.9% FG, 31.5% 3-PT FG, and 76.6% FT. The big man is thriving right now in Toronto, even if he does not have two superstars alongside him. Can one imagine what Siakam can do alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving?

Siakam won the championship in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors as the second-best player behind Kawhi Leonard. As a second or even third option, Siakam can be a valuable addition to a roster that has two elite offensive players. The big man can focus on playing defense, rebounding, and even being the go-to player on the fast break because, at 6’9” and 230 lbs, Siakam is hard to stop when he has a path to the basket. Siakam is not the best three-point shooter (career 32.7% 3-PT FG), but he brings more to the floor than Christian Wood and has championship experience.

Toronto is likely out of the mix in the East, and a player of Siakam’s ability belongs on a team with other stars. The Cameroonian can do it all as a power forward, including defending multiple positions and running the floor, so he could be fed up with a losing situation and demand a trade to a contender. Otherwise, the Raptors might want to re-tool and rebuild around Scottie Barnes while taking back two first-round picks and two expiring contracts. No doubt, removing a player who is making over $37 million next year could benefit their cap space situation.

The Mavericks Cannot Rest On Their Laurels, And Must Add A Third Star

The Mavericks knew they had to take a risk on Kyrie Irving, even if the point guard has been extremely moody and untrustworthy in terms of his playing time, future commitments, and off-court comments. Dallas realizes it will be difficult to attract top-tier free agents when there are other more interesting destinations, including franchises based in California and Florida, so going after Kyrie when only losing two starters and one first-round pick makes a ton of sense. Remember, Luka Doncic won’t be happy forever.

The Slovenian has some help, finally, so the Mavericks are doing their best to create around him. More pieces would do the team well, especially when there are many teams in the West who have multiple stars per team. Denver has Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Memphis has Ja Morant and first-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr, and the Clippers have two superstars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Not to mention, it will be hard to ignore what the Phoenix Suns can do if they manage to acquire Kevin Durant. Dallas can’t rely on Doncic and Kyrie, and a third piece must be added.

John Collins is the least talented of the three stars mentioned, but he brings athleticism, energy, and two-way skills at only 25 years old for the Mavericks to build around. DeMar DeRozan is the best available player on the perimeter, and he creates a very exciting Big Three with Luka and Kyrie spacing the floor from beyond as the former creates shots for him. DeRozan has always been the first or second option on his team for his career, and becoming the third option could elevate his career. Finally, Pascal Siakam must be a legitimate target for the Mavericks because as good as Christian Wood is, he can’t pass or run the floor as the Cameroonian can. Either one of these three players would make the Mavericks better, and they must go all-in to convince Kyrie (and Luka) to remain in Dallas long-term and go after a chance to make the NBA Finals representing the Western Conference. 

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