The Dallas Mavericks were one of the most prominent teams at this year’s NBA Trade Deadline. Last month, in a trade that many still cannot wrap their head around, the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. In return, they received Anthony Davis and Max Christie. While this was easily their biggest move, the Mavericks also traded Quentin Grimes to the Philadelphia 76ers for Caleb Martin. Furthermore, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto, Dallas also had another blockbuster trade in mind that would have landed them Jimmy Butler.
Recently, Scotto reported that the Mavericks “expressed interest” in Butler and Kyle Kuzma, then with the Washington Wizards. According to Scotto, this consideration was before the team opted to trade Doncic to Los Angeles, though it is unclear if this trade would have changed their plans anyway.
“Before the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic in a blockbuster deal to acquire Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick, the team also expressed interest in Jimmy Butler and Kyle Kuzma, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.
Furthermore, Scotto named P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford as potential trade candidates for Butler.
“PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford briefly came up in trade talks for Butler, but exploratory discussions didn’t go far, league sources told HoopsHype. At the time, Miami sought starting-caliber players on short-term deals who could help the Heat compete this season while giving them financial flexibility for the future as part of a trade package for the disgruntled Butler.”
Ultimately, the Miami Heat traded Butler to the Golden State Warriors in a five-team deal.
Dallas Mavericks ‘Expressed Interest’ in Trade for Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler Has Been a Game-Changer for the Golden State Warriors
Since the trade, Butler has appeared in eight games for the Warriors. In those games, they are 7-1. The former Heat star has already made history in Golden State and is leaving an impression on his teammates. After the trade, Draymond Green called Butler the “missing piece” to the team’s success (subscription required).
“This team all year has been kind of like, ‘Man, we’re right there, but can’t quite get over the hump.’ But there’s a reason that you feel like you’re right there, but can’t quite get over. And the reason I think we all thought we couldn’t quite get over was because there was a missing piece. That piece isn’t missing anymore. That piece is him,” Green said.
Furthermore, according to ESPN’s Shams Charnia, Butler is taking kindly to Golden State as well, saying that he feels that they are “better than any other organization he’s been a part of.”
“He does feel like this organization is better than any other organization he’s been a part of. But I’m telling you it’s different this time. I haven’t sensed the same feeling he’s had when he went to Philly, when he went to Miami. This is different for Jimmy Butler going to Golden State. He’s staying late for shootarounds… staying late for practices… spending so much time in the training room, the meal room. He’s going above and beyond to ingratiate himself with the Warriors right now.”
The Last Word
The Mavericks are currently 32-29 and own the No. 10 seed in the West. After an NBA Finals appearance last year, the Mavericks are now in danger of missing the playoffs completely. It is unclear how much a Butler trade would have helped their push. However, as it stands, it sure seems like they could use a player like him.