Thanks to the incredible play from rookie Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks sit at 12-11 and are currently holding onto the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks have been one of the biggest surprises of 2018-19 thus far, with Doncic and veterans Harrison Barnes and DeAndre Jordan producing at high levels. And it sounds like the front office will want to build upon what's been a strong start to the season.
Appearing on The Bill Simmons podcast, Marc Stein of the New York Times (h/t Hoops Hype), reported that the Mavericks will be looking for help in the trade market to boast their playoff chances.
“Look, I’ll tell you this. They are looking and they want to do something. There is no question about that. Donnie Nelson is always active. And so they’ve got chips. I don’t think it has materialized [in terms of] what is out there yet. We’re not even at December 15. But they’re always on the look out to do something.”
The Mavericks will get some help when Dirk Nowitzki returns from an ankle injury. Though no longer an All-Star candidate, Nowitzki is provides ample leadership and can produce double-digit points on a consistent basis.
But how serious the Mavericks would get in trade talks with other teams remain to be seen. They won't be sacrificing the world to get an Anthony Davis or Damian Lillard at the 2019 trade deadline.
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The Mavericks will obviously have to see where they stand leading up to the deadline. If they're slowly falling out of the playoff race, there will be no need to make big moves in a rebuilding year.
On the flip side, the Mavericks will surely want to find upgrades if they're hanging in there come February. With Jordan, Nowitzki, Doncic and Barnes leading the way, however, Dallas should be able to stay the course and remain a competitive bunch.
What This Means
The Mavericks probably thought they wouldn't be hanging in the postseason race at this stage of the season, even though the hype on Doncic was through the roof.
Rather than sell at the deadline and try to add more assets, the Mavericks will have a difficult decision to make instead. To sell, or to buy? Their play over the next two months will determine that decision.