Hi All,

In light of recent struggles I wanted to suggests some Mavericks trades to arrest the slump. Before you read this check out Ben Taylor's Luka in the post video so you can understand some of my reasoning a little better. https://youtu.be/hI8wq7vUxoo

Mavs: So, this trade see's the Mavs part with valuable role players Chris Wood and Reggie Bullock, Wood has looked phenomenal in combination with Luka this year while Bullock was vital in thier playoff run last year. They exchange them for Jonas Valanciunas and Seth Curry.

Seth has already proven to be a great fit next to Luka in his season at Dallas and I'm sure both would relish the chance to link up once again. Curry would bolster the offence when Luka's off the court, running round screens set by Valanciunas, Powell, Kleber and ease the offensive load on Luka when they share the court, allowing him to rest a little more, saving energy for the end of games. Curry is an incredible shooter who doesn't need the ball in his hands but I worry about him in Broooklyn due to their lack of size. Two small guards isn't a recipe for success in playoff basketball, let alone 3 (Mills, Irving, Curry) so I think the Nets should look to trade the valuable Curry as they do here.

You might think Valanciunas isn't the best fit next to a posting Luka but they aren't playing 4 out 1 in. Often if you look at the clips Ben has highlighted Powell or Wood are in the dunker spot waiting for a dump off pass or to attack the offensive glass, Valanciunas would be a great compliment, a great rebounder and inside finisher who I think Kidd will trust more than Wood on defence. He provides a more traditional paint presence (like McGee) but is a plus on offence.

Jonas can also space reasonably well. In the last 3 seasons he's hit atleast 36% on all his 3's thus could space from deep though not to the same extent as Wood. Like Curry, Valanciunas also bolsters Dallas when Luka's sat. They'd be able to play through him in th epost, initiate DHO's with Dinwiddie and Curry and crash the glass maximising possession efficiency.

Mavs also maintain the capability to play 5 out in the closing stages. Kleber and Finney-Smith could play the 5 and 4 with Green coming in for the departing Bullock.

All in all the Mavs become much more versatile with the trade, maintain what made them so potent last year in the playoffs and move off of Wood early, while he still has value, a super talented player but there's no point keeping him if Kidd won't trust him.

Nets: The Nets embrace Simmons, bringing in the best value spacing big available on the market as well as added size in the Wing department. Swapping one of the afforementioned smaller guards for a big wing. Wood should be the perfect compliment to Simmons, KD, Irving on the offensive side of the floor, he can vacate the paint, create for himself in a closeout, rim run, I'm confident if Wood headed to Brooklyn their closing 5 of Simmons, Irving, O'Neale, KD and Wood would be close to unstoppable with the ball in hand. Defesnively he's worse than Claxton in the rim protection department but this lineup would still field 3 6ft 10, players to all help protect the rim.

Bullock is a super valuable edition as well. As he showed in the playoff's last year he's a switch capable 3&D guy who would sure up the rotation allowing for them to compete better against the likes of Brown and Tatum in the playoffs.

They move off of Harris who hasn't looked himself since returning from injury and Curry who as explained above doesn't fit the roster nextr to Irvingand become a far more balanced team. And by far the best set up Simmons has ever had to maximise his talents.

Pels: Simpler one for the Pels, Valaciunas is a great player but not complimentary to Zion. He's playing 24 mins per game this year having played 30 and 28 in the last 2 seasons. Doesn't fit with Zion who unlike Luka gets to the rim so much whereas Doncic rarely dunks it, instead hitting step back's fadaways, up and unders etc.

Turner on the other hand Is a great fit. He can close for the Pels, spacing from outside and offering elite rim protection on the defensive end. This balances the roster as Valanciunas needs to be more involved offesnively to get the most out of him. With Zion, B.I and CJ that won't happen.

Pacers: Lastly for the Pacers they move off of Turner for a decent if unspectacular haul. They only do this if Turner indicates that he'd prefer to sign for another team in the offseason. That being said Hayes is a good young prospect who showed promise in the playoff's last year for the Pels but doesn't fit next to Zion. They could potentially resign him to a cheap deal next offseason and have a valuable asset on their hands. They can rehab Harris's value in a similar way to what they've done with Hield thus year, looking to move him as an expring for assets next year either in the offseason or at the deadline. And they get a 1st, all in all a decent return for their center who isn't quite on the timeline.

Let me know your thoughts, crazy that this could in theory be done tomorrow, Like and Flame if you enjoyed the read!