The Dallas Mavericks have already packed plenty into the last few weeks, but the roster still doesn’t feel finished.
After the flurry of moves, Dallas now has a full 15-man roster and all three two-way spots filled. The biggest swing came in the six-team deal that sent out AJ Johnson and Khris Middleton in a sign-and-trade while bringing back Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser, and the draft rights to Tarik Biberovic. The Mavericks then signed Biberovic to a 1+1 deal soon after.
Even with all that activity, there are still questions hanging over the group, and that could keep Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz busy.
NBA insider Chris Hayes told Kevin Gray of DLLS Mavs, “From what I was told, this was as of yesterday. Masai is very open to doing things, but he won’t make a change just to make a change… I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dallas Mavericks have something left up their sleeve…”
The roster fit still isn’t clean. Dallas is crowded in the frontcourt and still short on backcourt help. Through two Summer League games, Ryan Nembhard hasn’t looked ready for a full-time NBA rotation role, and Sergio De Larrea probably isn’t there yet either.
There’s also the unresolved situation with Moussa Cisse. The second-year center showed enough as a rookie on a two-way deal to earn a qualifying offer from the Mavericks, but he remains unsigned.
Cisse has been in Las Vegas with the team, taking in every game and attending practices, which points toward mutual interest. The catch is that Dallas still has to clear room if it wants to bring him back.
And there’s no need to treat the current roster as final. Teams have made late moves before the season starts, including the Karl-Anthony Towns/Julius Randle swap between the Knicks and Timberwolves. Dallas still has time, and there are several names that could come up before opening night.
Klay Thompson is one of them. Reports have linked the Mavericks to possible trade interest, though a team like the Miami Heat might only get involved if a buyout enters the picture. If Thompson asked for one, Dallas would likely go along with it, but only if it helped the team financially.
Daniel Gafford has also been in trade chatter for a year, but the Mavericks may need to hold onto him. Even if Moussa Cisse returns and Morez Johnson gets some center minutes, Dereck Lively II’s health remains unknown. That alone gives Dallas a strong reason to keep Gafford, even if moving his longer-term money would have appeal.
P.J. Washington is another possible trade candidate, though his four-year, $88 million contract may not draw much interest. He carries the second-highest average annual salary on the roster, but he is not the team’s second-best player.
Naji Marshall is also a name to watch. He has value, especially with one year left on his deal, and there’s a case that he doesn’t fit cleanly next to Cooper Flagg because he is not a strong shooter.
For now, the Mavericks have already done a lot. But the way this roster is built, it still feels like there’s a chance for one more move.
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