Dallas Mavericks: 3 win-now trades to help get Giannis Antetokounmpo

Oct 11, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in action during the game between the Mavericks and the Bucks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dallas Mavericks, Giannis Antetokounmpo Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dallas Mavericks make a win-now trade for Otto Porter Jr.

This trade for Otto Porter Jr. is a big step down from the Hayward deal for the Dallas Mavericks, but let’s take a look at the framework of this transaction with the Chicago Bulls:

The Mavericks get an injury-prone wing in the form of Otto Porter Jr., but he likely provides the singular talent and upside upgrade that this exercise seeks. Considering the best bets for the Mavs to upgrade their talent this season is via trade and the most important secondary condition in any trade for them is to keep the books clean for Giannis Antetokounmpo, this trade checks off both boxes.

Porter played just 14 games last season and 56 games the season before between the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards, but he’ll had had plenty of time to get ready for the 2020-21 season by the time it begins, possibly as soon as December 22nd. He’s a career 48.2 percent shooter from the floor and 40.4 percent from 3-point range, so if he can give them minutes with this kind of regular production, it’s a big win for the Mavs.

For the Bulls, they get the known commodities of Powell and Jackson and they add an all-around solid point guard in Delon Wright who can boost both their offense and defense under new head coach Billy Donovan.

This isn’t quite the slam-dunk win for everybody that the Hayward deal was, but we think it’s a reasonable second-best option if this is out there this season.

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