Being the 3rd string center in Dallas being behind AD in short term and Lively in the future: Dallas needs a POINT GUARD. COOPER FLAGG AT POINT GUARD IS MESSY! D'Lo is a inconsistent defender so that's what preventing him from getting minutes. Dallas currently ranks 28th in half-court offensive efficiency. Alvarado can play dividends by speeding up game pace, creating turnovers and allowing Mavs to score second chance points. Alvarado averages 6.8 assists per 36 minutes last season and is an above average 3 point shooter. Saddiq Bey's a good floor spacer and money matcher and 2028 1st round pick swap and Dallas gets a sweetener for the best player in the deal. We do it because we need rebounding and points in the paint. Currently we give up 54.1 points in the paint per 100 possessions which is 25th in the league. However, we rack up 125.5 points per 100 possessions with Zion and Queen together. Our frontcourt is small. Gafford is a legitimate shot blocker and lob-finisher who can anchor the floor and is a great rebounder. He averages 20.6 PPG/11.4 APG/3.0 BPG per 36 minutes while averaging 70.2 FG%. Before you quibble over the Pelicans giving up a 2028 first-round swap, understand two things: New Orleans desperately needs a center to avoid posting the worst defensive and rebounding numbers in the league, and it clearly isn't averse to risky pick-related moves after the deal that sent out its 2026 first-rounder on draft night.