NBA Trade Rumor: Mavs 'Keeping Tabs' on Jerami Grant; Interest in Kyle Kuzma?

With the Dallas Mavericks reportedly in the market for a frontcourt upgrade, could veterans Jerami Grant or Kyle Kuzma be in play via trade?

Through the first half of the season, the Dallas Mavericks own a 24-18 record as they sit as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. That’s solid for a team that has endured several key injuries, but Dallas still needs upgrades.

With the trade deadline only three weeks away, the Mavs, like most hopeful playoff and contending teams, find themselves in the middle of several trade talks and speculation. 

On Thursday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype detailed some trade rumors circling around the league, which included the Mavs 'gauging the trade market' for an upgrade at forward.

"The Mavericks have kept tabs on Jerami Grant in Portland, league sources told HoopsHype. Perhaps Kyle Kuzma could be added to this list in the coming weeks."

Dallas has been linked to both Grant and Kuzma for a while now, and with both Portland and Washington being two of the bottom five teams in the league, they seem to be prime candidates to deal their veteran players for future assets before the deadline. 

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On the season, Grant is averaging 21.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting a career-high 41.2 percent from downtown. Kuzma is scoring a career-high 22.4 points per game along with grabbing 6.3 rebounds and dishing out a career-high 4.2 assists per night.

But, at what cost for the Mavs? Scotto says league execs have an idea on what Dallas could offer.

"Rival executives point to some combination of Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, Grant Williams, and draft compensation as Dallas’ best chance of making a trade for a frontcourt upgrade."

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With the consistent play from Derrick Jones Jr. paired with Williams' disappointment, parting with Williams is something Dallas may be more than willing to do. But, would Dallas be open to trading both Green, who the Mavs have been reportedly reluctant to discuss in any deals, and Hardy for a win-now move? That's the question.

At the end of the day, parting with at least one of Green or Hardy, along with contract filler and draft capitol, will be mandatory to land a forward of Grant or Kuzma's liking to help raise Dallas' ceiling. 

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