Mavericks Look To Join In NBA Draft Night Trade Madness
As the 2024 NBA Draft approaches Wednesday, General Manager Nico Harrison looks to be active among trade rumors swirling around the league despite Dallas only having pick No. 58. Bleacher Report recently released a list of draft-day trades that could make sense for every team, and their proposal for the Dallas Mavericks is certainly intriguing.
The proposed trade would see the Mavericks acquire forward Jerami Grant from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, and two future first-round picks (2025 and 2031). While this package might seem steep at first glance, it aligns with the growing buzz around Dallas's interest in the versatile forward.
According to SNY's Ian Begley, the Mavs have "checked in" with the Trail Blazers about a potential Grant trade. This report adds credibility to the notion that Dallas is seriously considering ways to upgrade their roster following their NBA Finals appearance.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Grant's appeal to the Mavericks is clear. At 30 years old, he's coming off a season where he averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting an impressive 40.2% from 3-point range. His ability to create his own shot, knock down threes, and defend multiple positions could provide Dallas with the exact skill set they need to complement their star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
However, acquiring Grant wouldn't come without challenges. He's entering the second year of a five-year, $160 million contract, which represents a significant financial commitment. The Mavericks would likely need to part with valuable assets, as suggested in the Bleacher Report proposal, to make such a deal work.
For a Mavericks team that came so close to glory, Grant represents a potential missing piece. His versatility on both ends of the floor could address some of the issues that plagued Dallas in the Finals while also providing another scoring threat to ease the burden on Doncic and Irving.
Stay tuned to DallasBasketball.com for more updates as the draft unfolds and the offseason heats up.
