The Dallas Mavericks have created a frontcourt squeeze after adding Santi Aldama on Wednesday evening, and the roster already had plenty of bodies in that part of the floor before that move.
Now Dallas is looking at Aldama, Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, Morez Johnson Jr., Tobi Lawal, who is likely headed for a two-way deal, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II, whose best spot is power forward or center.
Moussa Cisse and/or Dwight Powell could also return. That leaves one obvious problem: they need guard help, and they need it badly.
That’s where Portland enters the picture.
Mike Schmitz just came from the Trail Blazers, and Portland’s own backcourt has become crowded in a hurry after its earlier-in-the-week deal for Ja Morant from the Grizzlies in a straight swap for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. The Blazers now have Morant, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, former third overall pick Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe.
It has already been reported that Portland is leaning toward a starting backcourt of Lillard and Morant, a pairing that would be rough defensively. Deni Avdija is expected to hold down one of the wing spots, and Toumani Camara’s defense would be needed in a big way. Even so, the Blazers could still use another wing.
That makes for an interesting trade framework: Dallas sends P.J. Washington to Portland for Shaedon Sharpe.
Washington has been a key piece for the Mavericks, especially during their run to the 2024 NBA Finals. But with Aldama now in the mix, his path to steady minutes is getting narrower. He’s the kind of player every team wants: versatile on both ends, able to hit an open three, and willing to bring some edge when the game calls for it.
There’s also the contract angle. Washington is entering the first year of a four-year, $88 million deal, while Sharpe is about to begin the first year of a four-year, $90 million contract.
Sharpe, 23, brings a different kind of value. He’s an elite athlete, and while his 20.8 PPG last season might overstate his scoring polish, he would give Dallas the kind of burst and athletic pop it badly needs in the backcourt.
Washington is 27, and because of that age gap, Portland could reasonably ask for a couple of second-round picks. Still, this could just as easily end up as a straight one-for-one swap, since Washington can be argued to be the more valuable player.
If Dallas could somehow pry Scoot Henderson loose instead, that would be the cleaner win for the Mavericks, but that feels unlikely.
In this setup, Dallas could roll out Kyrie Irving, Shaedon Sharpe, Cooper Flagg, Morez Johnson/Naji Marshall/Santi Aldama, and Dereck Lively II/Daniel Gafford. It’s hard to know exactly what that group would become, but it would at least be interesting.
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