5 Under-the-radar trade targets for Mavericks before the deadline

4. Royce O’Neale

The Nets shopped O’Neale during the offseason and have a logjam on the wing. His minutes are down this season, and the franchise likely moves on before the deadline. O’Neale’s $9.5 million expiring contract will draw interest from several contenders, but Brooklyn is adamant about getting a first-round pick in return.

The 30-year-old is still a strong 3-and-D wing. He has improved his playmaking with the Nets and is a career 38.2 percent 3-point shooter. O’Neale can guard multiple positions and has helped his team reach the playoffs for six straight years.

The Nets are struggling and will look to retool their roster before the trade deadline. The Mavericks are often linked to a reunion with Dorian Finney-Smith, but O’Neale could be more in their price range. Brooklyn has been unable to get a first-round draft pick and may have to settle for multiple seconds.

Acquiring Royce O’Neale won’t make national headlines, but the Dallas Mavericks desperately need another 3-and-D wing. Grant Williams and Dante Exum are filling that role, but a third option gives head coach Jason Kidd more versatility and flexibility in the playoffs. The Mavs went small in their run to the conference finals in 2022, and O’Neale would give them that luxury again.