With the Dallas Mavericks three games out of the West playoffs, center Andrew Bogut has been a popular name in trade talks ahead of Thursday's deadline. Will Dallas move him? If so, where? Our NBA Insiders weigh in.
Should the Mavs be buyers or sellers at the deadline?
Amin Elhassan: Sellers. Yes, Dallas has come on strong after an abysmal start, and coach Rick Carlisle will always maximize the talent he has available, but I think the gap has widened between them and 8-seed competitors Denver and New Orleans. It's not too late to pare down and make a meaningful run at a top-7 pick this June.
Kevin Pelton: Sellers. With the New Orleans Pelicans adding Cousins, the Mavericks' odds of coming back to make the playoffs this season have gotten even longer. Besides, Dallas has played just fine without veterans Andrew Bogut and Deron Williams, the two Mavericks with expiring contracts.
Bogut probably doesn't have value, and Williams' salary might make him more viable as a buyout candidate, but if the Mavericks could get a second-round pick for either player they should pounce.
What trades should the Mavericks consider?
Bradford Doolittle: The Mavs have been over .500 the last two months, and if they pick up that pace even a little, they could make the playoffs. Playing the Warriors on the wrong side of a 1-8 matchup gives Dallas at least a shot at getting even for 2007.
I think you can make the playoff push by going with the younger guys that have played well alongside Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews and Harrison Barnes. That gives them the leeway to shop Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut.
However, Williams would have to consent to a deal, so that might be tricky. And if you find a match for Bogut, you've got to replace his rim protection, which has been a bugaboo for this Dallas team.
With the fifth-best point differential in the league, the Jazz are well-positioned to pursue home court and present an interesting second-round test for Golden State. Plus, the Jazz have the cap space to take on a decently sized contract and a couple of extra first-rounders.
How about this: Alec Burks and the Jazz's extra 2017 first-rounder from Golden State to Dallas for the expiring deals of Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut. I like Williams as a third guard who can anchor the second unit while also playing next to George Hill. Bogut would keep the back of the defense strong when Rudy Gobert rests (the Utah defense falls off by 6.2 points per 100 possessions when Gobert sits).
Jeremias Engelmann: I think Barnes is making too much money for his impact (Real Plus-Minus: -0.3), but the Mavericks' front office might think otherwise. Given that the Mavs have a very slim chance to make the playoffs -- they're fifth in a six-team race for the right to get swept by the Warriors -- I'd make Williams and Bogut available as their contracts run out.
Wasn't Cleveland looking for a playmaker? Williams would be a good fit. And Bogut might be a significant upgrade for many teams without a good rim protector (including Boston and Cleveland). The Mavs should be looking to get future draft picks in return.