How Dallas Mavericks could use Warriors’ pick to add around Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks have exceeded all expectations this season. Led by the sensational Luka Doncic, the Mavs are sixth in the Western Conference and are not a playoff opponent the Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets or Utah Jazz will want to face.

Dwight Powell‘s torn Achilles was a real blow, but Dallas acted quickly to land Willie Cauley-Stein from the Golden State Warriors. Crucially, Dallas retained the Warriors’ 2020 second-round pick. Due to the financial commitment of second rounders, that pick is arguably more valuable than late first-round selections.

Courtney Lee‘s expiring $12 million contract is an ideal trade chip. Boban Marjanovic‘s $3.5 million salary this season could be used as filler. Those two players alone give them enough to make a deal for Andre Iguodala, the player that so many contending teams crave. Dallas should be considered favourites for Iguodala – the Warriors’ pick may well be the best trade available to the Memphis Grizzlies for the veteran wing.

A Tristan Thompson deal might have made sense, too. Cauley-Stein’s arrival makes that pretty unlikely, though the two are hardly identical players. Again, Marjanovic and Lee would be enough salary wise, but the Cleveland Cavaliers may well want more than a pick likely to fall between 31 and 35. Thompson is a free agent at season’s end and Cleveland could look to extend him.

Another player on a lowly Eastern Conference team, Thaddeus Young, would bring good defence and switchability. He’s an ordinary shooter, however, and his three-year contract would take up oh-so crucial 2021 cap space. Young seems like a longshot, though the Mavs would surely welcome a player with his defensive ability.

Marcus Morris Sr., owed $15 million over this season, could be the best fit. The New York Knicks are going nowhere, and should be looking to take any picks they can get their hands on. Morris is shooting 45% from deep this season and, much like Young, would be a marked defensive upgrade. Marjanovic wouldn’t need to be included in a deal. Morris is a prized asset ahead of the deadline, though – other contenders may be willing to part with a first-round pick, which would put the Mavericks out of the running.

Robert Covington has been linked with Dallas. He’d be a perfect fit, providing elite defence and good three-point shooting. Unfortunately for the Mavs, the Warriors’ second-round pick won’t be enough to get a trade done. Given his injury issues, parting with anything more would be too great a risk for a franchise well ahead of schedule.

Kings forward Nemanja Bjelica is a name to keep an eye out for. Hitting almost 44% of his perimeter shots, he’s owed under $7 million in 2019/20 and just over that mark next season. Bjelica would be a useful floor spacer and could play the four or five alongside Kristaps Porzingis.

Given the heights the Mavericks have reached this year, it would be a waste not to make a trade with the Warriors’ pick. There are options aplenty – Morris is likely the best of the bunch.