3 trade targets for the Dallas Mavericks to help Luka Doncic

At the time of writing this, the Dallas Mavericks are on the brink of elimination in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Phoenix Suns have them on the ropes, and by the time this article is published, the Mavs may have been eliminated.

Regardless, it’s become abundantly clear that Dallas is a piece or two away from being a legitimate title contender. This year’s free agency class isn’t slated to be particularly strong, but Dallas should still look to improve.

If they can’t land anybody in free agency, the trade market is projected to be ripe with available players. The point is that there will be opportunities for Dallas to improve.

Luka Doncic is good enough to carry a team on his own without a true co-star, but he still needs a strong supporting cast. Who can the Mavericks add this summer to help him out?

3 trade targets for the Dallas Mavericks to help Luka Doncic: Rudy Gobert

Let’s just start off with the obvious. Rudy Gobert and the Dallas Mavericks have been connected ever since the rumors came out that he could potentially be on the trade block this summer.

The Mavs’ center position is solid as a whole, but they don’t have a true starter. Both Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber are quality rotation pieces, but neither is the starting-quality big man that Doncic deserves.

Adding Gobert to the lineup would not only enhance Dallas’ already great defense, but it would also give Doncic a true rim-running option to catch lobs.

Gobert has never been a great offensive big man, but as seen with Steven Adams in Oklahoma City, putting an elite playmaker next to a big, brawny center is a one-way ticket to easy offense.