Mavs Can Ramp Up Playoff Chances With Zach LaVine Acquisition

Zach LaVine and Trae Young are two of the NBA stars who recently got a player rating boost on “NBA 2K19”. Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 05, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Getty Image/Andy Lyons

KEY POINTS

The Mavericks front office is reportedly keen on possibly making a move for Zach LaVine
Dallas will need to let go of multiple players to cover the $215 million contract of LaVine
LaVine is only in the first year of his five-year max deal

The Dallas Mavericks are at an all-time high right now following the historic performance of Luka Doncic.

The Slovenian guard entered the NBA record books with his stellar showing against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, December 27, finishing with 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists.

The scoring mark also made Doncic the Mavs’ record-holder for a player with the most points in a single game, eclipsing the previous mark set by retired NBA star Dirk Nowitzki of 53 points against the Houston Rockets in 2004.

While there is no denying that the 23-year-old has established himself as one of the best players in the NBA today, Dallas needs to provide him with ample support.

One player that has been mentioned by Tim McMahon of ESPN is Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls.

The scribe shared his thoughts on “The Lowe Post,” claiming that some people in the Mavs front office are keen on the 27-year-old guard.

“I just know that there are fans of him that hold prominent positions within the Mavericks,” McMahon said. “I think there are enough fans of him where I wouldn’t totally rule [a Dallas trade for LaVine] out.”

LaVine made headlines this month for a reported disconnect with some of his teammates and head coach Billy Donovan.

Although the two-time All-Star allegedly tried to resolve those issues, his struggles with the Bulls continue.

Adding those two factors, pundits see LaVine wanting out of Chicago.

But the problem is which team would be open to inheriting his huge contract worth $215 million.

LaVine is only in the first year of that five-year pact, meaning Dallas or any NBA team will have to give up a lot to acquire him.

The Mavericks do have several players they can sacrifice to get LaVine to Dallas. That list includes Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, Christian Wood, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr. or Davis Bertans.

Some of those names such as Wood and Hardaway Jr. have come out with credible performances.

That said, head coach Jason Kidd may not be too enthusiastic about letting them or other key players go in exchange for LaVine.

The NBA trade deadline is still months away, so the Mavs have time to weigh their options as far as personnel movement is concerned.