Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is attaching their name to every free agent and trade target (as they should) but they’re also not afraid of selling the farm to put together a title contender as fast as possible.
That title contender would be around Luka Doncic who proved he had “it” this year as the old heads would say but ‘was in his bag’ as the young heads would say.
Jrue next to Doncic would be an incredible pairing with both being able to play on or off the ball, giving Rick Carlisle 48 minutes of elite ball-handling, something that is incredibly valuable (see late Kemba Walker, Charlotte years).
But similar to Brooklyn, why should Dallas go all-in with Jrue, if they’re going to part with young assets (it’d be players since they’re out their 2021 and 2023 first-round draft picks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade), would they be better going for a higher level of player, not a 30-year-old who’ll need an extension at the end of the year?
Also, Doncic is only now legally allowed to drink in the US, there’s no rush at all to surround him with players on the wrong side of 30.
From New Orleans perspective, yes, Maxi Kleber might be the perfect big man next to Zion as he can defend both big positions, hit threes to stretch the floor, and pretty much just cover for him, it might not be worth trading Jrue for that. They’re allowed to ask for a little more, it’s like they’re eating two desserts on their birthday at the moment.