Championship-contending teams need to have enough depth to help them handle a rigorous 82-game regular season and the playoffs.
The Dallas Mavericks may need to add another big man to help manage the workload of Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, especially because the former is dealing with an ankle injury. With that said, they could trade for a talented all-around big man from the Atlanta Hawks.
FanSided suggests that the Mavs trade for Larry Nance Jr., who has experience getting to the NBA Finals as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2018.
Nance has played in just 15 games, but he’s averaging 9.5 points on 58.5% shooting. He’s averaging 17.7 points per 36 minutes, which is a career-best mark.
The Wyoming product can hit the three-pointer, defend multiple positions, and cut to the basket, adding a layer of versatility that benefits any NBA team. The former Los Angeles Laker is out with a broken bone in his right hand. Assuming he gets healthy down the stretch of the season, he has the potential to slide in very well next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, given his ability to operate in the pick-and-roll and play above the rim.
Doncic had significant success lobbing the ball up to Lively and Gafford last postseason.
Nance can also play as a small-ball center, allowing the Mavs to outrun their opponents on the break and generate a ton of fastbreak points.
Dallas ranks 12th in fastbreak points, but Nance’s athleticism gives him the advantage to get out ahead of the break, which could help the Mavs improve in that department.
Maxi Kleber’s $11 million salary allows him to be traded straight up for Nance, but their 2025 second-round pick from the Denver Nuggets or Philadelphia 76ers may need to be added to the mix since Nance’s contract is expiring, whereas Kleber has one more season on his deal.
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