Last week when asked about potential deals at the NBA trade deadline, Mavs owner Mark Cuban deadpanned, “When is it? I don’t even know.”
Assuming Cuban lies somewhere between ignorant and the panic button, surely the Mavs are at least spit-balling ways to improve a roster that has them in the playoff race in the West while being full of holes.
Thursday at 2 p.m. the NBA will announce several trades. The Mavs, who, remember, don't have a first-round pick next summer because of the Rajon Rondo trade, could use some help now. These are some of the players that could be available:
Dwight Howard – Dallas recruited him unsuccessfully a couple summers and now he’s discontent and underachieving in Houston. Zaza Pachulia’s been great and all, but franchise centers are always a golden goose.
J.J. Hickson – A young, athletic center who isn’t getting a lot of run with the Nuggets, he will likely be dealt. Of course, if he can keep his head screwed on straight the Mavs already have a better Hickson in JaVale McGee.
Kenneth Faried – What team couldn’t use a 12-point, 9-rebound monster that never needs a play run for him? Faried is the kind of dirty-work player the Mavs desperately need. But so do a lot of NBA teams.
Kevin Martin – Never loved the shooting guard’s unorthodox delivery or finesse game, but he’s about to negotiate a buyout from Minnesota and can be had for almost free.
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A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
