Mavs Trade Option: Why Dallas Should Target Clippers' Ivica Zubac

With the opening weekend of free agency behind us, the Mavericks are still without an upgrade at center, which should lead to targeting Clippers' Ivica Zubac via trade.

Heading into the offseason, the Dallas Mavericks had goals of re-signing Kyrie Irving and upgrading both their defense and rebounding. 

Now that Irving and the Mavs have agreed to a reunion, it's time for Mavs GM Nico Harrison and company to focus on landing their upgrade at the center position.

With the James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers potentially looking for a trade partner as the Los Angeles Clippers loom as the All-Star's preferred destination, the Mavs could jump in to acquire Ivica Zubac in a three-team deal.

Proposed trade: Mavericks receive Ivica Zubac and Robert Covington. Clippers receive James Harden and JaVale McGee. 76ers receive Tim Hardaway Jr., Terance Mann, Nicolas Batum, and a 2028 first-round pick (from LAC). 

For Dallas, acquiring Zubac could be its best bet at legitimately upgrading their center position as a trade for Cavs' Jarrett Allen, Hawks' Clint Capela, Pacers' Myles Turner, or Suns' Deandre Ayton could be more difficult to come by. In Zubac, the Mavericks would be getting a dominant rebounder who is very effective in the pick-and-roll and finishing around the basket. 

As a defender, Zubac isn't necessarily an elite shot-blocker, but he's a significant upgrade over Dallas' current rim-protection options despite his flaws when stepping out on the perimeter. With Covington, the Mavs gain a veteran 3-and-D wing who can guard multiple positions in a reserve role.

In this trade, the Clippers get Harden, who they've been rumored to have interest in since the future Hall-of-Famer opted to look for a trade instead of remaining with the 76ers. Harden provides the Clippers with a floor general to run the offense alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George while also being able to score at will whenever needed in Los Angeles' efforts to win now.

And for Philadelphia, though they part ways with Harden, the 76ers get back three core rotation pieces in Hardaway Jr., Mann, and Batum, who can contribute right away. All of those players have been in meaningful games deep into the postseason, and gaining a potentially valuable future first-round pick doesn't hurt either.

Of course, the Mavericks could attempt to acquire Zubac without the need of a third team, but many of the assets the Clippers have are similar to what Hardaway Jr. or Reggie Bullock provide, so bringing in another team could be beneficial to landing Dallas' upgrade at center in this scenario.

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