The Dallas Mavericks could move Deron Williams before the trade deadline, with the team on course for a disappointing season, and the Cleveland Cavaliers could be among the potential destinations for the veteran point guard.
The Mavs may very well be a lottery team this season, with the team dwelling at the bottom of the league standings. While Mavs owner Mark Cuban is refusing to "tank," ESPN's Tim MacMahon insisted Dallas could consider rebuilding at some point.
"The Mavs' front office does not want to send the message that it is giving up on the season. Cuban, in particular, refuses to "tank." Forget that four-letter word, but at some point, it'd be foolish of the front office to not recognize that this is a rebuilding season and take a long-term view on roster building," MacMahon wrote.
If the Mavs would consider rebuilding, moving expiring contracts could be in the team's list. Andrew Bogut has already been linked to trade rumors, with the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers as potential destinations. But as noted by MacMahon in the same report, the Mavs could also ponder about trading Deron Williams, who is also on an expiring contract after re-upping with the Mavs this past summer on a one-year $10 million deal.
It is still unclear which teams are interested in Williams, much less the Mavs putting him on the trading block. But if Williams becomes available before the deadline, the Cavs could emerge as a landing spot.
Early this season, the Cavs were reportedly looking to shop Mo Williams and bringing in a veteran PG who could replace the former's spot in the team. Behind Kyrie Irving, the point guard rotation becomes very thin, and while LeBron James has the knack of making plays for his teammates, adding a veteran floor general like Williams could help Cleveland defend their title.
Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com explored on such possibility in light of the Cavs looking for a backup guard to fill in Mo Williams' spot in their lineup.
"All indications are (for now) that they will try and go the trade route to get a backup to Kyrie Irving. Could be around Dec. 15, when free agents signed over the summer can be traded. I'm just throwing a name out there -- Dallas' Deron Williams is on that list," Vardon wrote.
The Cavs level of interest in acquiring Deron Williams is still unclear, but trading for him would require Cleveland to give up a young talent, especially with the Mavs looking ready to hit the reset button. Anyone between DeAndre Liggins, Jordan McRae and Kay Felder would be an essential piece in the Mavs' rebuild.
There should be plenty of options remaining for the Mavs, with the February 2017 deadline still a few months away. But trading Williams for one or two young prospects may already be the best deal on the table for Dallas.
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