- This could be a good deal for both the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns
- Deandre Ayton would be a good fit on the Dallas Mavericks
- The Phoenix Suns would add some solid depth to their roster
The Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns are both teams that need to make some changes to their rosters to potentially win the championship. The Dallas Mavericks need more overall talent to compete with the heavyweights in the Western Conference, while the Phoenix Suns need more quality role players around their stars.
Perhaps the two franchises making a trade with one another could help them both be better. This proposed trade sends Deandre Ayton to the Mavericks in exchange for three role players heading to the Suns.
Dallas Mavericks Received: Deandre Ayton
Phoenix Suns Receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., JaVale McGee, Christian Wood (Sign-And-Trade)
This deal could potentially help both teams with their goals. Here is why both the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks should consider making this trade at some point before the start of the season.
The Dallas Mavericks Add A Talented Player To Be Their Starting Center
As of right now, the Dallas Mavericks don’t necessarily have an elite starting-level center. Richaun Holmes only played 8.3 minutes per game with the Sacramento Kings last season while Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell are solid but still role players. Dereck Lively II might not be ready to be a starting player. Perhaps the team should explore trying to get a starting-caliber center, and Deandre Ayton would fit the bill.
Last season, Deandre Ayton averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game for the Phoenix Suns. He is a top 10 center in the NBA and is solid as a rim finisher and post scorer offensively. Ayton would be a solid No. 3 option behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and would give the team a lob threat that can finish plays above the rim. Defensively, Deandre Ayton is a strong rebounder and though he doesn’t necessarily get a lot of blocks, he is still a good rim protector.
In this trade scenario, the Dallas Mavericks would have to give up a number of role players to get the deal done. Tim Hardaway Jr. is a good spark plug scorer coming off the bench, but with the acquisitions of Seth Curry and Grant Williams in free agency, he seems like the type of player that is expendable in a trade. JaVale McGee was overall poor last season, and Christian Wood is a free agent that can simply leave for another team if the Mavericks don’t work out a sign-and-trade. If the Dallas Mavericks can parlay those three players into Deandre Ayton, then that is a win for the franchise.
Overall, this trade is about the Dallas Mavericks making a consolidation trade, with the team moving three players that are surplus to requirements for one player that can be a difference-maker. Even though the Dallas Mavericks may not have a use for those players due to the depth they already have, a team like the Phoenix Suns might be intrigued enough to do a deal.
The Phoenix Suns Add Some Much-Needed Depth
The Phoenix Suns have the opposite problem from the Dallas Mavericks, and that is the fact that as a team, they are too top-heavy after the Bradley Beal trade. Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Deandre Ayton make up the majority of their salary right now, and a couple of poorly-timed injuries to those players could affect the Suns’ entire season. Perhaps it is best to try and move one of those players, and try to get functional depth. Deandre Ayton is the logical choice of player to trade in this scenario.
This deal would get the Phoenix Suns three role players that would fill out their roster around their three stars. The most intriguing player on this list is of course big man Christian Wood, who averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for the Dallas Mavericks last season. He is a quality 3PT shooter (37.6% last season) and rebounder, and his talent level is undeniable. Still, his defense leaves a lot to be desired, which is why he is not yet signed with a team. Wood could potentially be a solid sixth man for the team, and close at times when the team needs more overall offense.Â
Tim Hardaway Jr. is still a solid rotation-level player, putting up 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game during the 2022-23 regular season. His likely role on the Suns will involve coming off the bench, as the starting lineup already has enough firepower. Hardaway Jr. would excel in that role. The last player that the Suns would receive is JaVale McGee. Though his minutes were cut with the Dallas Mavericks last season, he could still end up as a solid contributor on the Phoenix Suns due to his championship experience. He, Bismack Biyombo, and Christian Wood could all play minutes at center, with Kevin Durant potentially closing at C due to his rim protection.
For the Phoenix Suns, this deal is about splitting Deandre Ayton’s contract and bringing back multiple role players that can contribute, to create a more balanced roster.Â
This Trade Could Help Both The Mavericks And The Suns Get Better
Both the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks have the goal of competing in the Western Conference. This trade could be mutually beneficial for both teams in that regard, as there is a good chance both teams improve after making this deal.
The Dallas Mavericks would be able to increase the team’s overall talent level and add a starting-quality center. Deandre Ayton is a perfect fit with the team’s stars and could flourish in a franchise where he is more of a focal point.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns would be able to add some quality depth and improve their rotation. Having good role players is one of the keys to success in the modern-day league, and this deal would get the Suns those role players.
It remains to be seen if the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns would come to a deal with this framework. This deal makes sense from both sides, and we’ll see what happens in the future.
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