The Dallas Mavericks do not have a ton of assets to give up at this deadline, so keeping this mock trade simple is the way to go.
Dallas is a team that is trying to win now, meaning that if anything they will be buyers at the deadline. The issue with this is that the team sent multiple first rounders and other assets to New York and Atlanta in order to create the two-headed monster that is Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic, thus the team does not have much to work with at the deadline.
Adding Denzel Valentine is an interesting option for the Mavs, however. Valentine has found himself largely out of the rotation for Chicago, despite his solid play in his limited opportunities. Adding a knockdown shooter who can make plays for his teammates is always a good idea, but even more so for a team that is looking to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Although Valentine’s deal expires this Summer, the team would have the opportunity to re-sign him as a restricted free agent. However, if Dallas does not see him in their future plans, the team can simply allow him to walk and enjoy the $5 million that they would open up in cap space by getting Justin Jackson off of the books for 2020-2021.
Very much like Valentine, Justin Jackson has found himself out of the Dallas rotation and struggling to find minutes. Another former first round pick with one more year on his rookie deal after this season, both he and the Mavericks could be looking for a change of scenery. The Chicago Bulls have been connected to Jackson since the 2017 NBA Draft. With an apparent need for wings, shooting, and young talent, he could be an ideal trade target for a low price.
Jackson could serve as a rotational guy behind Chandler Hutchison and provide a better floor-spacing option at the three than Hutchison currently provides, although Hutch’s three point shooting has improved considerably this year. Worst-case-scenario for Chicago, Jackson flops and walks in free agency in the Summer of 2021 and all the team gave up was an expiring contract.