In a surprising move, the Dallas Mavericks have traded guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Alec Burks and James Wiseman. The deal gives the Mavericks some much-needed financial flexibility, while the Pistons add a veteran scorer to their young roster.
The Dallas Mavericks have shaken up their roster, trading guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Alec Burks and James Wiseman. The move comes as a surprise, as Hardaway was a key part of the Mavericks' run to the Western Conference Finals last season.
However, the Mavericks were reportedly looking to shed some salary in order to re-sign top priority Derrick Jones Jr. Hardaway is set to make $19.6 million next season, while Burks is set to make $10 million. The trade will save the Mavericks nearly $10 million in salary, giving them the flexibility to re-sign Jones.
Dallas Mavericks Shake Up Roster, Trade Tim Hardaway Jr. to Detroit Pistons
The Pistons, meanwhile, add a veteran scorer to their young roster. Hardaway is a career 3-point shooter, and he averaged 14.2 points per game last season. He will provide the Pistons with some much-needed scoring punch, as they ranked 29th in the NBA in points per game last season.
Burks is a versatile guard who can play both point guard and shooting guard. He averaged 8.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season. He will provide the Mavericks with some depth in their backcourt.
Wiseman is a 7-foot center who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. He has struggled to stay healthy in his career, but he has shown flashes of potential. The Mavericks are hoping that he can develop into a starting-caliber center.
The trade is a win-win for both teams. The Mavericks get some much-needed financial flexibility, while the Pistons add a veteran scorer to their young roster. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform next season.
* The Mavericks are reportedly looking to re-sign Jones to a multi-year deal. Jones is a versatile forward who can play both small forward and power forward. He is a good defender and a solid scorer.
* The Pistons are excited to add Hardaway to their roster. Hardaway is a proven scorer who can help the Pistons improve their offense. He is also a good three-point shooter, which will help the Pistons space the floor.
* Wiseman is a raw prospect, but he has a lot of potential. The Mavericks are hoping that he can develop into a starting-caliber center. He has good size and athleticism, and he has shown flashes of good defense.
* The trade is a good move for both teams. The Mavericks get some much-needed financial flexibility, while the Pistons add a veteran scorer to their young roster. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform next season.
