Mavs Trade Talk: Proposed Deal Lands All-Star Big Man in Dallas

In this mock trade, the Mavericks finally get their upgrade at center with landing Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns.

We've officially hit the dead part of the NBA offseason, where the only basketball news to follow is FIBA World Cup related or fake trade proposals ... and half of the latter have mostly revolved around James Harden and Damian Lillard requesting trades this summer. 

For the Dallas Mavericks, they've tried their hand at making trades this offseason, as both Tim Hardaway Jr. and JaVale McGee have been offered around the league in Dallas' search for an upgrade at center. And yet, the Mavs have yet to find a dancing partner. 

In a hypothetical deal proposed by Fadeaway World, the Mavs take a huge swing in a blockbuster trade, landing Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Proposed Trade: Mavericks receive Karl-Anthony Towns. Timberwolves receive Tim Hardaway Jr., Christian Wood, Josh Green, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and 2027 First-Round Pick.

This trade is an interesting move for both teams, as each franchise finds themselves in a win-now situation. For Dallas, landing an All-Star big like Towns provides a similar skillset and screening partner for Luka Doncic – and now Kyrie Irving – as what Kristaps Porzingis brought to the table. But for what the Mavericks are in need of, which is a defensive-minded center, Towns doesn't necessarily fit the bill. 

What Towns has shown from an offensive skillset standpoint is impressive, and frankly, he is one of the top big men in the entire league. But, when looking at Towns as a decision maker, a defender, and an overall winner, the water gets muddied and serious questions begin to seep in. 

Along with losing not only Green and Prosper, but sending a 2027 first-round pick, which could potentially end up being very valuable ... it would definitely be a risky move to trade for Towns at that price.

For Minnesota, the trading of Towns makes sense when it comes to the awkward fit that is he and Rudy Gobert. And with Gobert's monstrosity of a contract and somewhat of an inability to stay on the floor in crunch time situations, moving him in a trade seems highly unlikely, which puts Towns at the forefront of this proposal. 

Landing the likes of Green and Prosper should certainly be appealing to the T-Wolves, as that bolsters their youth on the wing and gives them two above-average defenders with room to grow on the offensive end. Wood definitely feels like a salary filler here, as Hardaway's contract would be up next summer, helping give Minnesota some cap flexibility.

But overall for Minnesota, though trading Towns may end up being their best bet to right the ship of the franchise after the Gobert trade debacle, this proposed package from Dallas may not be the most attractive when it comes to dealing a two-time All-NBA player.

At the end of the day, this deal doesn't seem realistic for either side. Sure, acquiring Towns would give Dallas the second best shooting big man of all-time – sorry, not sorry, KAT – but, for what the Mavs need, which is a rim protecting big who is an elite rebounder and efficient in the pick-and-roll without necessarily needing many touches, Towns just isn't a perfect fit just as Porzingis wasn't either. 

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