NBA Trade Rumors: 5 players unlikely to be back with the Dallas Mavericks for the 2020-21 season

The Dallas Mavericks want to continue the upward trajectory that they've been on in the last couple of years. This would mean considering NBA trade options that help them improve their roster heading into the 2020-21 season. At the same time, they want to maintain financial flexibility to be able to have a crack at the top free agents – including Giannis Antetokounmpo – in 2021.

NBA Trade Rumors: 5 players unlikely to return for the Dallas Mavericks for the 2020-21 season

The Dallas Mavericks have some contracts coming off the books this offseason. They're also expected to undergo a few NBA trades to either clear cap space or acquire expiring contracts. On that note, let us look at five players unlikely to be back with the Dallas Mavericks for the 2020-21 season.

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#1 Courtney Lee

Courtney Lee [Image: Mavs.com]

Courtney Lee was a part of the trade deal that saw Kristaps Porzingis join the Dallas Mavericks from New York Knicks in early 2019. He made roughly $12.8 million last season and is entering free agency now.

A three-level scorer for the majority of his career, Lee has spent 12 years in the NBA. However, he had little impact on the Dallas Mavericks and managed only 4.5 points in 14.4 minutes of playing time per game.

Courtney Lee's jumper looks like it has a recoil like when you shoot a big rifle pic.twitter.com/1Sfd9hwAnC

— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) February 8, 2020

A calf injury ruled Lee out of the NBA restart and there's little incentive for the franchise to bring back the 35-year-old shooting guard even on a short-term deal.

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#2 Justin Jackson

Justin Jackson (left)

Drafted in 2017, Justin Jackson is another bright prospect who hasn't been able to cut it yet in the NBA. Jackson showed somewhat of a promise after being traded to the Dallas Mavericks by Sacramento Kings in 2019. However, that potential fizzled out last season.

Justin Jackson's performance in the Mavs' big win over the Lakers:15 points in 15 minutes off the bench | 6/10 FG | 3/5 3PJackson is now shooting 46.7% from deep for the season. #MFFL pic.twitter.com/lgg7fLYdFG

— Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg) December 2, 2019

Jackson only managed 5.5 points on 39.6% shooting in 2019-20 and struggled defensively as well. He only has one year left on his rookie contract and is owed $5 million for the season. He's likely to be used for matching salaries by the Dallas Mavericks in any trade for a third star.

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#3 Antonius Cleveland

Antonius Cleveland (right)

Antonius Cleveland has had a tough run of luck after going undrafted in 2017. After several back-and-forths between the G League and the main competition, Cleveland signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks at the beginning of the 2019-20 season.

Unfortunately for Cleveland, he couldn't find his footing with the Mavs. He only played 4.2 minutes per game during the regular season, most of it being garbage time. He didn't have a role to play in the playoffs either. He's also slated to exit the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent.

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#4 JJ Barea

JJ Barea

Having played 14 seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, JJ Barea is a free agent heading into the 2020-21 season and this might be the end of the road for him with this franchise. Barea has seen his role reduced over the last few seasons but still came off the bench as a valuable catch-and-shoot option for the team.

Although they might want to keep him around as a veteran, Barea is rather replaceable as a player for the Mavs. They have several good shooters on the team and at 36, Barea isn't getting any younger.

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#5 Willie Cauley-Stein

Willie Cauley-Stein

Willey Cauley-Stein was never given the opportunity to shine by the Dallas Mavericks after he joined the team in an NBA trade deal from the Golden State Warriors in January 2020. He was only afforded 12.1 minutes of playing time by the Mavs and managed 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in the same.

Cauley-Stein has a player option worth $2.2 million next season, one that he's unlikely to exercise. He needs more playing time to showcase his impact as a defender and a rim-runner. Moreover, he certainly can do much better financially as compared to the minimum contract he'll be tied to if he opts in.

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