Texas’ three NBA squads have been some of the league’s best teams since the turn of the new century. The Dallas Mavericks are transitioning from superstar Dirk Nowitzki to another in Luka Doncic, the Houston Rockets have been contenders since James Harden arrived, and the San Antonio Spurs are closing out on a long playoff dynasty. These front offices are hungry for success and should be active in NBA trades to continue to make their mark next season.
NBA Trades to Help the Three Texas Teams
Dallas Mavericks
The trade: the Mavericks send Delon Wright, Justin Jackson, and a future first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for Josh Richardson and Mike Scott.
The Mavericks can score at will. They don’t need much help on that side of the ball. What they struggle with, however, is defense. Richardson and Scott will bring this to Dallas.
Richardson is one of the better wing defenders in the league. A rotation between him, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dorian Finney-Smith would make for a strong perimeter defense core. Richardson isn’t a stellar shooter, but he is certainly capable. He would thrive with the open looks he’ll have with Doncic on his team.
Scott will bring more toughness to this team as well. It’s clear from bubble play that the Mavericks are thin in the front-court, so Scott would certainly contribute in a 15 minute per game role.
Philadelphia needs a make-over already. This trade doesn’t necessarily make them better, but it gives them the chance to change up. Wright is a solid point guard, which the 76ers are still in search of (Raul Neto should not be playing often). Jackson can shoot from deep, which the 76ers struggle with. And, of course, they’ll get a future pick.
Houston Rockets
The trade: the Rockets send Eric Gordon to the Utah Jazz for Joe Ingles and Ed Davis.
Don’t look now, but the Rocket’s small-ball experiment has been working. So far in the bubble, they haven’t missed Gordon much. Ben McLemore and Danuel House have been shooting well and playing tough defense.
Ingles is paid less than Gordon and is known to be a high-energy player and pesky defender. This suits the Rockets squad. He’s also a great three-point shooter, which of course Houston wants. Davis would come in as a true big man. The Rockets don’t typically use that, but it wouldn’t hurt to have him on the roster. Davis hasn’t played much this season, but last season he averaged roughly six points and nine boards a game.
Utah has been struggling offensively in the bubble. This is due in large part to the absence of Bojan Bogdanovic. Regardless of that, it’s clear that Utah needs help to score the ball. Gordon may be overpaid, but he’s a great third or fourth scoring option.
San Antonio Spurs
The trade: the Spurs send LaMarcus Aldridge to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kevin Love.
San Antonio is in a peculiar situation. They can make some moves to remain competitive as a possible playoff team, or they can aim for a rebuild. As coach Gregg Popovich’s career winds to an end, the Spurs might opt to remain competitive.
Aldridge has served the Spurs well, but he will enter the last year of his contract next season. He’s also 35 years old, it’s time to part ways.
DeMar DeRozan will likely accept his player option, giving the Spurs a legitimate offensive threat. Adding Love to that, alongside players like Derrick White and Dejounte Murray, would certainly keep the Spurs in the playoff conversation. Love finished this season averaging roughly 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists per game. At 31 years old, he can continue this for a couple more seasons.
Cleveland is in the middle of a major rebuild. Love’s contract, however, makes that difficult. Sending it to San Antonio for an expiring contract (of a very good player) is an NBA trades no-brainer.
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