Mavericks Herb Jones trade interest highlights deadline priorities
At each of the last two NBA trade deadlines, Dallas Mavericks made a big trade. in 2023, The Mavericks traded for star point guard Kyrie Irving. in 2024, The Mavericks traded for PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford. This season, the Mavericks reported commercial interest in the wing of the New Orleans Pelicans Herb Jonesaccording to longtime NBA insider Marc Stein.
One thing to note, according to Stein, is that the Pelicans have been reluctant to include Herb Jones in trade talks with the Mavericks or any other team. But what it does show is what the Mavericks’ priorities are in the days leading up NBA trade deadline.
The Mavericks were looking for a big wing defender in the lineup, something they’ve been missing since leaving Derrick Jones Jr. to the Los Angeles Clippers through free agency.
Stein also reports that the Mavericks are unwilling to surrender Gafford in a potential deal to acquire the wing defenseman. They love their center tandem of Gafford and Derek Lively II, and moving Gafford would create a new question in terms of center depth.
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The Mavericks are currently 23-19 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are a half-game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the sixth seed and immediately enter the playoffs without having to play.
While the Mavericks initially struggled right after Irving, with a full training camp and then boosted by the Gafford-Washington trade, they made it to the 2024 NBA Finals. They ended up falling to the Boston Celtics in five games.
The Mavericks have dealt with injury problems this season, with their star wing Luka Dončić is currently out of action due to a shin injury. Lively was dealing with an ankle injury and did not play during the team’s win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. Reserve wing Jaden Hardy suffered an ankle injury during the Thunder’s win.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 6, so the Mavericks have just under three weeks to see if they can get that wing defender they’re looking for.
David Iapkowitz is a basketball reporter for ClutchPoints, covering men’s and women’s NBA, WNBA and NCAA basketball news. The Los Angeles native has op-eds with Basketball Insiders, SB Nation and The Next Hoops.
2025-01-19 22:56:00
