The Mavericks have been better than expected, after missing their second-best player, Kyrie Irving, for nearly three weeks, in large part due to the brilliance of MVP candidate Luka Doncic. With the Mavs just 2.5 games back from the third seed and the Western Conference appearing to be wide open, it is no surprise that they are expected to pursue a third star.
RUMOR: The Mavericks’ offer for Pascal Siakam could be a package surrounding Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green and draft picks, per @JWeinbachNBA. pic.twitter.com/K2DHAstAua
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 1, 2024
One likely trade candidate is Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam, who is likely to be moved by the February 12th deadline. With Siakam on an expiring contract, he might not cost as much to acquire as a star of his caliber normally would, especially after Marc Stein reported that he doesn't plan on signing an extension with the team he's traded to.
That might work to the Mavericks' advantage, as does another report that the Raptors aren't interested in a full rebuild, meaning that they aren't interested in pick-heavy trade packages.
Do the Mavericks have enough to land Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors?
If the OG Anunoby deal is any indication, they prefer young players with upside. The Mavericks are short on that at the moment, though they do have Tim Hardaway Jr., a starting-caliber shooting guard that could be used to help match salary in a deal for Siakam. He could also be flipped to a third team for picks or by the Raptors themselves. Additionally, the Mavericks can offer prospects Josh Green, as well as Grant Williams, and a 2027 first-round pick.
Green is an interesting young guard with two-way potential, while Williams is a starting-caliber power forward who has three years remaining on his contract. Meanwhile, the Mavs 2027 first, assuming it's lightly protected, could be interesting since there is no guarantee that Doncic will be on the team by then and Irving will be in his mid-30s.
All In all, the Mavericks have enough matching salary to make a trade for Siakam possible. Despite that, it remains to be seen whether a deal centered around Hardaway Jr., Williams or Richaun Holmes, Green, and a future first-round pick would be enough to get the Raptors to agree to a trade.
The NBA is about to heat up and you can join the fun with a pair of guaranteed bonus wins waiting for you at FanDuel and DraftKings! All you have to do is sign up, deposit $10 or more and then bet $5 or more on ANY NBA game at each sportsbook. You'll win $300 in combined bonus bets, win or lose. Sign up with FanDuel and DraftKings today!