The Dallas Mavericks were certainly one of the busier teams at the trade deadline this year. In one of the most shocking trades in league history, the Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Additionally, the Mavericks traded Quentin Grimes to the Philadelphia 76ers for Caleb Martin. However, it appears the Mavericks were also willing to shake their roster up even after the deadline. More specifically, the Mavericks “had interest” in bringing a former No. 1 overall pick to Dallas via the buyout market–Ben Simmons.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required), the Mavericks considered signing Simmons as a free agent. Stein mentions that Simmons’ ability to play small-ball center is what appealed to Dallas. This makes sense as they are currently dealing with injuries to Davis, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively, P.J. Washington, and Dwight Powell.
“League sources say that Dallas had interest in joining the buyout market bidding for Ben Simmons, who swiftly joined the LA Clippers after negotiating his release from the Brooklyn Nets and held appeal to the Mavericks as a small ball center.”
Simmons began the season on the Brooklyn Nets. However, after playing 33 games this season, the two sides agreed to a buyout. The LSU alum has since signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
In his debut with the Clippers, he recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block in 27 minutes.
Dallas Mavericks Recently ‘Had Interest’ in Ben Simmons, Per Insider
The Dallas Mavericks Were Never Going to Land Ben Simmons
Despite their interest in Simmons, it was always unlikely that Dallas could sign him. Stein mentions that the Mavericks are only $200,000 away from crossing the first-luxury tax threshold. Furthermore, there were multiple teams who had interest in Simmons. As Stein puts it, the Mavericks were never going to be able to outbid those teams to sign the Australian native.
“The Mavericks, though, sit less than $200,000 away from the NBA’s first luxury-tax apron … even after Davis waived his trade kicker upon learning that the Lakers were dealing him to Dallas for Dončić. With Caleb Martin’s trade kicker hiking his salary from $9.2 million to $10.4 million for apron purposes after the Mavericks acquired Martin from Philadelphia, creating sufficient wiggle room to try to beat out the Clippers, Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers for Simmons was not mathematically possible,” Stein wrote.
The Last Word
With or without Simmons, the Mavericks are in a bit of a situation. After making the NBA Finals last season, they are not even guaranteed to make the postseason this year. With a 30-26 record, they currently own the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. However, they are just 6.5 games ahead of the No. 11 seed Portland Trail Blazers. It is unlikely, but there is a world that exists where the Mavericks completely miss the postseason. This is especially true given the plethora of injuries they are dealing with. Regardless, the All-Star break is here, and the Mavericks will have time to rest up and get things back on track soon. Their next game is on February 21 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
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