Post-Deadline Dreams: Mavericks Trade for Center Jaxson Hayes?
Aside from the Phoenix Suns, the Dallas Mavericks made the biggest splash prior to the NBA’s Feb. 9 trade deadline, acquiring star guard Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal. Despite the marquee addition, could they have done more to solidify a championship-worthy roster?
Bleacher Report created a wish list of ideal trades that every team in the league would yearn for, had the deadline been extended, including Dallas in the fold:
"[Jaxson] Hayes has the bounce and length to handle the rim-running role Dallas anticipated JaVale McGee would fill. [Naji] Marshall has enough size and spirit to pester bigger perimeter players. The Mavs might still not have enough defense to win it all, but this would get them closer to passing that test.
New Orleans [Pelicans], meanwhile, has a shooting shortage and could use another frontcourt scorer to help mask Zion Williamson's ongoing absence. Wood might leave plenty to be desired on defense, but he's absurdly skilled on the offensive end for a 6'10" combo big."
The proposed deal would send Wood to the Pelicans in exchange for Hayes, Marshall and a 2024 lottery-protected first round pick.
The deal is a head-scratcher to say the least. Having only started 17 of 56 games played in 2022-23, Wood is a serious Sixth Man of the Year award candidate. He boasts averages of 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in only 26 minutes of nightly action.
Wood has played 30 or more minutes in 14 games this year. In that span, he's scored at least 20 points on 11 occasions. Of those 11 20-plus point games, six of them were in double-double efforts, where he grabbed 12 or more boards. He also recorded at least one block in nine of the greater 14-game span.
In past playoff appearances, the Mavs struggled with generating offense off the dribble from someone other than Luka Doncic. His high usage rate reverted all of his teammates into spot up shooters. They now have Irving along with Wood to help in these departments for all 48 minutes of action. It's never a good idea to take away playmakers from a team.
While Hayes possesses more God-given agility and defensive prowess, Wood has shown the ability to play sufficient defense in a reserve role, garnering anything but the title of a liability on that end.
In exchange for Wood, Hayes and Marshall have yet to average double figures in scoring or anywhere over five rebounds in their careers. Redundancy would play a major factor in Mark Cuban hypothetically ingratiating the two into the fold.
Dallas already has four centers -- Wood, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber and JaVale McGee. Coach Jason Kidd has the luxury of utilizing any of these four bigs in a variety of situationals, as Powell provides passing and playmaking in the pick-and-roll, Wood carries the offense on the second unit, Kleber ranks among the best spot-up three-point shooters in the NBA, and McGee offers a lob threat with rim protection and filling the lane in transition.
As for Marshall, the slashing forward brings intensity and dynamic offense to the Pelicans, yet does a lot of the things that Josh Green and Tim Hardaway Jr. provide. An ancillary future draft pick does little to help a Mavericks team looking to win now.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Mavericks? Click Here.
Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter.
Follow DallasBasketball.com on Facebook.
