Done deal: Finally soccided trade for Dallas Mavericks to rejuvenate their defense is clear….
With the NBA offseason officially beginning over a week ago, the Dallas Mavericks will be one of many teams attempting to improve their rosters before the 2019 NBA season begins.
The Mavericks, like many other teams this season, surprised fans by reaching the NBA Finals and losing to the Boston Celtics in five games.
Despite falling short of a championship this past season, there were many positives the team can take headed into the offseason.
One positive the Mavs can take headed into the summer is the progression of Dereck Lively .
Lively not only surprised many with his instant effect on the floor to begin the season, but Lively flashed an ability to become a potential floor spacer with his 3-point shot next season.
As the Mavs scout the NBA landscape for potential upgrades at key positions, one player could be on his way out in a potential trade.
Tim Hardaway Jr., a longtime Maverick, has been expected to be traded this summer, and after a dismal postseason, his exit appears practically imminent.
The Portland Trail Blazers are rumored to be in contact with the Mavericks, so keep an eye out for potential deals.
With the Blazers entering a rebuilding phase, they may attempt to move around forward Jerami Grant, who would be the ideal third star Dallas requires to make a genuine playoff run, and Dallas has already expressed interest in him.
If Dallas and Portland remain in constant touch, an additional player may be included in a potential trade for Grant.
This guy could be Matisse Thybulle, who has strong ties to Dallas in previous offseasons.
As early as last summer, the two parties agreed to sign a three-year contract before the Trailblazers matched Dallas’ offer sheet, keeping the fifth-year veteran in Portland.
Thybulle would have been an ideal addition to Dallas at the time, and he would have played an important role in the Mavericks’ run to the Finals if he had been on the roster.
Thybulle has earned repeated All-NBA Defensive Second Team honors throughout his time in Philadelphia and has worked hard to improve his offensive game.
A significant reason Thybulle had a falling out with the Sixers was due to his offensive repertoire being so limited.
offensive game has only improved since his arrival in Portland.
Last season, he shot close to a career-best 34.6 percent from behind the arc on a relatively high volume in a Trail Blazer system that did not rely significantly on the three-pointer.
Thybulle would perform well on both ends of the court in Dallas.
He would be an excellent addition to the Mavericks’ deep wing rotation and one of the team’s best defensive players whenever he was on the court.
In the Mavs’ offensive system, he would receive numerous wide-open shots from the corner off Luka Doncic drives and Kyrie Irving passes.
Thybulle may have another offensive surge in Dallas’ system, like he did when he was initially sent to Portland.
Thybulle would fill many of Dallas’ needs if he were to be traded for this offseason.
As it currently stands, the Mavericks have yet to make a move, but rumblings indicate this won’t last much longer.
It’s clear that Thybulle badly wanted to become a Maverick last offseason, and this summer could be the perfect time to do it.
Dallas’ defense was excellent towards the end of last season and into the playoffs, and a player like Thybulle could help this defensive dominance continue.
