The Dallas Mavericks struggled to keep afloat this week as the team recently suffered losses to the Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, and Houston Rockets. Injuries and defense have been the main concern.
Two weeks ago, Dallas lost Kyrie Irving when he suffered a right heel contusion. Irving got hurt after teammate Dwight Powell landed awkwardly on his leg.
However, Irving’s injury was just the beginning of the team’s problems. Last week, Dereck Lively II suffered a left ankle sprain against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Mavs rookie was coming down for a rebound when he landed on the defender’s foot.
5 Backup centers the Dallas Mavericks should trade for
Lively II and Irving are just the latest players to be added to the injury list, as Maxi Kleber and Josh Green have also been out.
Injuries have created a ripple effect for Dallas as the team has struggled without their two centers, Kleber and Lively II. Teams have had no problem scoring inside. Against the Clippers, Dallas allowed 60 points inside the paint.
Mavericks’ opponents shooting at the rim since Dereck Lively II injury:
Blazers 31/43, 72%
Nuggets 19/22, 86%
Clippers 24/25, 96% pic.twitter.com/zqOPr6Rzdz— Iztok Franko (@iztok_franko) December 21, 2023
The same problem occurred against the Nuggets when Dallas too allowed 60 points inside.
So, what’s the issue?
Well, for starters, the Mavs seem to have no replacement for when Lively II is out. The team’s defensive rating drops whenever the rookie is off the court. This translates to their struggles at the rim.
One solution might be trading for a backup center. It’s obvious Dallas needs someone to come off the bench and replicate some of the things Lively II can do.
Here are five centers the Mavs should trade for.
5. Marvin Bagley III
One center Dallas should turn their attention to is Detroit Pistons’ center Marvin Bagley III. The Sacramento Kings drafted Bagley III with the No. 2 pick during the 2018 NBA Draft, one spot ahead of All-Star Luka Doncic.
At 6-foot-10, he can play both the power forward and center position. He has averaged 13 points per game and 6.9 rebounds in six seasons while shooting 51 percent from the field. His best season came during his rookie year when he dropped 14.9 points per game and 7.6 rebounds.
He would be an excellent complement to Dereck Lively II. Like the Dallas rookie, he excels at scoring at the rim. Bagley III does most of his damage down low, as he can clean up his teammates’ misses or use a fancy hook shot to score.
The Pistons’ forward would be a compliment to Luka Doncic. as he does an excellent job in pick-and-roll opportunities.
Ausar Thompson with a nice bounce pass to Marvin Bagley for the dunk
— Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) December 19, 2023
In the video above you can see how he is able to move to the open spot and score inside.
Defensively, he is a hit-or-miss. Bagley III has improved his rotation defense but struggles in man-to-man situations.
If Dallas were to trade for Bagley III, it would be risky. However, he would be an upgrade from any of the team’s backup centers.
4. Andre Drummond
Another center who has all the intangibles and experience to excel in Dallas is Andre Drummond. The 6-foot-11 veteran could be the exact player Dallas is looking for and Dallas was interested in him this summer.
He is a two-time all-star who has led the NBA in rebounding four times. Given the right team, Drummond can still perform at a high level.
Two seasons ago, he averaged 11.8 points per game and 10.3 rebounds. He also shot 61 percent that season.
The problem is his numbers have declined since coming to the Chicago Bulls. In two seasons with Chicago, he has averaged six points per game and six rebounds.
Offensively, he is still a skilled passer who can help provide second-chance points. One issue, though, is he struggles to score down low. Two seasons ago, he was the Bulls’ ninth leading scorer inside.
On the defensive side, Drummond can do a bit of everything. Against the San Antonio Spurs Thursday, he recorded five blocks, two steals, and eight rebounds.
His inside presence could be the exact solution Dallas is looking for. The Mavs rank in the bottom six in defensive rebounds. For his career, Drummond averages 8.2 defensive boards. Luka currently leads the team in defensive rebounds with 7.6 per game.
So, why not take a risk? Drummond’s ability to rebound the ball could come in handy for Dallas.
3. Bol Bol
Bol Bol is one player who would add size and defense to the Dallas Mavericks. At 7-foot-3, the Phoenix Suns forward/center has all the intangibles to be reliable off the bench.
Acquiring Bol would not be an issue for Dallas, as he is on a minimum contract. The problem would be his effectiveness.
He has averaged six points per game and 3.7 rebounds in five seasons. The issue? Bol has yet to showcase his true talents. He’s having one of his worst seasons with 0.7 points per game and 0.5 rebounds with the Suns. The problem could be linked to his minutes, as he has averaged 2.5 minutes a game.
However, given the minutes its possible he can excel with another team.
Two years ago, he had one of his best seasons with the Orlando Magic. That season he averaged 9.1 points per game and 5.8 rebounds in 21.5 minutes.
During his time with the Magic, Bol could do it all: attack the rim, create opportunities for his teammates, and dribble from atop the key.
It’s even possible Bol could excel with an up-tempo team like Dallas. So, why not go for it? Dallas would be getting an upcoming center without breaking the bank.
2. Daniel Gafford
Opposite of Bol Bol, Daniel Gafford is one center who has found success this season. The Washington Wizards’ big man has been a reliable starter.
Gafford has started in 23 games for the Wizards, averaging 10.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds. He had three blocks and five rebounds in his most recent start against the Sacramento Kings.
One thing that stands out about him is his toughness. As a starter for the Wizards, he is constantly being asked to guard some of the best players, such as Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. This is a task he never shies away from.
At 6-foot-10, he isn’t the biggest guy, but he can use his frame to guard players down low.
One example of this is when he is guarding defenders inside. Gafford isn’t afraid to fight for the ball. He can box-out defenders down low and help his team acquire second-chance points.
Gafford is also a solid rebounder. On Sunday, he recorded 17 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns. 10 of those rebounds were on the defensive side.
His toughness and rebounding expertise are something that would benefit Dallas. He also has experience off the bench and as a starter.
So why not give Gafford a shot?
1. Isaiah Stewart
One undersized center who could help out the Mavs is Isaiah Stewart. The Detroit Pistons’ big man is a young and up-and-coming player who can help a contending team.
Last season, he had one of his best years averaging 11.3 points per game and 8.1 rebounds. This was a step up from his first two seasons when he struggled to find chances down low.
This season, Stewart has had an up-and-down year. In October, he had a great start this season when he averaged 13.8 points per game and 9.3 rebounds. However, Stewart’s numbers have taken a dip this month as he is averaging 7.3 points per game and 5.8 rebounds.
Either way, Stewart is a young center with all the intangibles to excel in the future. He is constantly improving his game and does well in pick-and-roll situations.
Another bright spot is his shooting game. This season, he is shooting a career-high 36.7 percent from the 3-point line.
Along with shooting, he is a tough center who doesn’t back down from anyone. Last week, he was ejected from a game after he set a hard screen on Patrick Beverly.
Stewart’s youth, constant improvement, and physical toughness should be enough reasons for Dallas to trade for him. Plus, it’s already been rumored that the Mavs have been linked to Stewart.
Either way, its obvious Dallas is in desperate need for a backup center. The Mavs have plenty of options to consider.
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