The Dallas Mavericks could go big-game hunting to help them win a championship this season.
The Mavs have ranked second in offensive rating since Luka Doncic returned to the lineup on Dec. 1, but a team can never have too much help in the playoffs. That’s why Bleacher Report suggests the franchise trades for a Miami Heat All-Star.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Dallas is on Jimmy Butler’s list of preferred trade destinations.
A potential trade could require the Mavericks to part with Klay Thompson and a host of depth pieces and future draft picks, which could pose a ton of risks for the team.
Thompson has been far from a perfect fit with his new franchise and could soon move to the bench in favor of Quentin Grimes or Naji Marshall, but it doesn’t mean he can’t thrive in a role off the pine.
Still, it’s worth considering that rotations shorten significantly in the playoffs. Some teams might only play seven or eight players in each postseason game.
Doncic and Kyrie Irving are more than capable of handling big workloads in the playoffs. Doncic has proven he can maximize the best out of each of his teammates, and that will be important if the Mavs ship out some of their most important depth pieces in this deal.
However, the Mavs might be better off sticking with the group they currently have and making a smaller move that could help bolster this group’s defense. A trade for a former Mavs 3-and-D specialist could be on the table, and that’ll be significantly less expensive than trading for Butler.
But you never know what can happen in the NBA. If Doncic and/or Irving push the front office to acquire the six-time All-Star, they would almost certainly work tirelessly to get Butler into the mix.
MORE MAVS NEWS: Mavericks predicted to ‘act on trade rumors’ surrounding Lakers’ $101 million superstar
