The Dallas Mavericks (28-22) have turned into something of a surprise as a legitimate playoff team in the bottom half of the Western Conference. Though still somehow anchored by Dirk Nowitzki (17.5 PPG) the Mavs don’t possess elite talent — they have five players that score in double figures along with plenty of other contributors (12 players average double-digit minutes per game).
The Mavs aren’t necessarily built to compete with the West’s heavy hitters. That combined with the fact that they have four point guards in the rotation makes them a target for discussion around the trade deadline, but Mark Cuban says there’s no temptation there, via Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com:
Mark Cuban says "nothing is really tempting to us" as the trade deadline approaches. @dallasmavs like the team currently constructed.
— Earl K. Sneed (@EarlKSneed) January 31, 2016
After Fred Hoiberg’s comment today, that now makes two teams that I suggested to watch for around the trade deadline that are saying they aren’t yet interested in making a trade before Feb. 18.
In the Mavs case, there isn’t much leeway in the first place. Zaza Pachulia’s expiring $5.2 million is probably their best trade asset given his production this season, and that’s not the centerpiece for an immediate lucrative return. As of right now, the Mavs won’t be fishing for some desperation lifeline trade in the next couple of weeks.
