Mavericks’ Shrewd Trade Masterstroke: Dumping Bertans Contract and Reaping Two First-Rounders!
As the Dallas Mavericks enter the offseason, they are undoubtedly looking for ways to strengthen their roster and make strategic moves to enhance their chances of contending. In this blog post, we explore a trade idea involving Davis Bertans and the Mavericks’ 10th pick in the 2023 draft in exchange for Kelly Olynyk and two first-round picks (16, 28) acquired by the Utah Jazz from Minnesota and Philadelphia. This trade proposal aims to address multiple needs for the Mavericks, including shedding salary, acquiring a valuable bench big in Olynyk, and converting the 10th pick into additional assets for future moves. Let’s delve into the details and examine the potential benefits of this trade.
Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive:
- Two first-round picks acquired by the Utah Jazz from Minnesota and Philadelphia (16, 28). These picks represent valuable assets that the Mavericks could utilize in future trades to further strengthen their roster or potentially move up in the draft to target specific prospects.
- Kelly Olynyk: A versatile and skilled big man who can contribute off the bench. Olynyk’s ability to stretch the floor and provide inside-outside scoring would be a valuable addition to the Mavericks’ frontcourt rotation.
Utah’s First-Round Picks:
- Dallas Mavericks 10th pick in the 2023 draft. Utah moves up in the draft to pay another top lottery talent with their 9th overall pick.
- Davis Bertans: Veteran sharp-shooter with a big contract albeit almost expiring (only $5 million guaranteed in 2024). Utah takes on his contract as part of the price for moving up in the draft.
Benefits of the Trade
1. Dumping Davis Bertans’ Contract: One of the significant pros of this trade is the Mavericks’ ability to offload Davis Bertans’ contract. Bertans, though a talented shooter, has a substantial contract that can limit Dallas’ financial flexibility. Shedding his salary would allow the Mavericks to explore other avenues in free agency or future trades to further strengthen their roster.
2. Acquiring Kelly Olynyk: In Kelly Olynyk, the Mavericks would gain a useful bench big who brings a combination of size, shooting, and playmaking ability. Olynyk’s versatility would provide valuable depth in the frontcourt, complementing the team’s core players and offering a different skill set to exploit matchups.
3. Converting the 10th Pick into Two Picks: By converting the 10th pick in the 2023 draft into two first-round picks acquired from Utah (16, 28), the Mavericks would significantly enhance their asset pool. These additional picks can be utilized to make further moves, such as packaging them in trades to target specific players or providing the team with additional flexibility and options in future drafts.
Conclusion
The proposed trade involving Davis Bertans, the Mavericks’ 10th pick in the 2023 draft, Kelly Olynyk, and Utah’s acquired first-round picks presents an opportunity for the Dallas Mavericks to maximize their assets and increase flexibility. By shedding Bertans’ contract, adding a valuable bench big in Olynyk, and converting the 10th pick into two future picks, the Mavericks would position themselves to make additional moves to bolster their roster or strategically maneuver in future drafts. While this trade idea is speculative, it highlights the potential benefits and strategic thinking that teams employ during the offseason to build a stronger and more competitive team.
