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NBA Trade Grades: Heat to dump Josh McRoberts on Mavericks

By Gerald Bourguet

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 25: Josh McRoberts #4 of the Miami Heat looks to make a pass during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on November 25, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Heat defeated the Grizzlies 90-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 25: Josh McRoberts #4 of the Miami Heat looks to make a pass during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on November 25, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Heat defeated the Grizzlies 90-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Grades
MEMPHIS, TN – NOVEMBER 25: Josh McRoberts #4 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on November 25, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Heat defeated the Grizzlies 90-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Dallas Mavericks

For the Mavericks, it’s a little underwhelming to see a second-year player shipped off in a Josh McRoberts salary dump, especially since McBob’s $6 million salary for next season takes up most of the cap space that was freed up by Dirk Nowitzki‘s incredibly team-friendly discount deal reported Thursday.

However, Dallas only had $11 million in cap space to work with anyway, and among the pool of remaining free agents, they weren’t going to be able to land one of the best for that amount, nor would they have found difference-makers outside of that tier.

To that end, pocketing an extra second round pick isn’t terrible, especially since McRoberts is an expiring contract who will be off the books next summer.

That $1.5 million in cap space may not seem like much, but the 2018 free agency class is going to be loaded. As we’ve seen this summer, cap space is precious after the spending spree of 2016, especially since the cap didn’t balloon as much as expected this offseason.

A.J. Hammons didn’t get much run in Big D as a rookie, playing a grand total of 22 games while averaging 2.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 7.4 minutes per game.

However, the former Purdue product only shot 40.5 percent from the floor, he’ll turn 25 years old before the upcoming season starts and the Mavs are fully stocked in the frontcourt between Nerlens Noel, Dirk, Salah Mejri and Dwight Powell.

There’s not a ton to be excited about here, but letting go of an unimpressive seven-footer in this McRoberts salary dump is worth it when one considers there’s a decent chance that future second-rounder becomes a more productive NBA player (or more valuable trade chip) than Hammons.

Grade: B

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