While trade rumors surrounding the Dallas Mavericks have been relatively slow over the first few weeks, things are finally starting to pick up with less than a month to go until the trade deadline.
It still looks like Dallas will look to move Maxi Kleber ahead of the deadline, and his performances recently aren't necessarily helping him make a case for the Mavs to keep him. Despite having a strong showing against the Los Angeles Lakers in which he finished with five points, three rebounds, and five assists, he is looking like someone who could get moved over the next month Kleber's $11 million annual salary over the next two years is one of Dallas' most moveable assets, and it looks like there's a great shot that he will be included in whatever trade the Mavericks try to make.
His injuries and inconsistency have hurt him over the last year or two, and this season may finally be the year that Dallas decides to move on. Kleber has had his fair share of great moments as a Maverick over his eight-year career with the team that fans should be grateful for, these same fans may also have to accept that he may be playing for a different team this time next month.
Mavericks need to trade for a bigger-bodied wing if they trade Kleber
Despite all of the injuries going on right now and the uncertainty about what move they will make over the next month to solidify their roster, the Mavericks have truly looked like one of the best teams in the league when they are fully healthy. They also still have another level that they can reach, and that level can be reached with a certain type of player that they should push to acquire in a trade that involves Kleber (if they indeed decide to move him).
The Mavericks need another big-bodied wing with size who can guard multiple positions to replace Kleber, and that is becoming more evident by the game. Adding a defensive-minded wing would help the Mavericks significantly when being forced to defend players down the stretch and into the postseason like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard (elite forwards in the NBA) who can overpower guards and exploit mismatches, and this is the type of player that Dallas lacks when P.J. Washington is off the floor. Even though Dallas was able to take down the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, they are going to need some more perimeter defense and size for the remainder of the regular season and into the playoffs.
They can't rely upon Washington to take all of the tough defensive assignments on the wing, and even though Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes can guard up on occasion, neither one of them are players you'd fully trust guarding some of the best power forwards in the league. Dallas has had to rely upon Washington and Kleber to take these matchups, and while Kleber holds his own in most of these matchups, finding an upgrade over him who is more well-rounded on offense is key.
Kleber has gotten to the point where he almost passes up every open look that he takes, and they need someone who isn't afraid to let it fly when he gets the chance. Mavericks fans know Kleber is capable of knocking down open shots, as he shot 41 percent from three and last year's playoffs and was a key piece off the bench, but that version of himself has been nowhere to be found this season.
Dallas' situation with deciding to trade or not to trade Kleber is unique, because if they move him, they have to bring back a player who can bring a similar defensive impact and guard two through four or five. Trading Kleber for an offensive-minded player or someone without size or the tools to be a solid defender would be a major risk, and the uniqueness of Kleber's game makes this situation much more complex than it seems.
