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The trade deadline is quickly approaching and the Dallas Mavericks could be among the most active teams over the next two weeks. Fueled by the brilliance of Luka Doncic, the Mavs currently sit 5th in the Western Conference standings with a 27-16 record - and an ambitious front office is believed to be eager to make further additions heading into the second half of the campaign. With cap space available, the Mavs have been linked to a number of notable names, and here we will take a look at the top three players currently being linked with a move to Dallas.
#1 Danilo Gallinari - Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been among the biggest surprises of the season so far. A 26-19 record puts the Thunder six wins ahead of the 9th placed San Antonio Spurs, although the team is still expected to be among the sellers ahead of the trade deadline as they look to continue with a rebuild that was started following Russell Westbrook's exit last summer.
With less than six months remaining on his contract, Danilo Gallinari is among those that could exit Oklahoma City, and The Ringer is reporting that the Mavs are one of the teams interested in signing the Italian:
Danilo Gallinari stands out as an option. Multiple playoff teams have expressed interest in the Thunder forward, including the Mavericks and Sixers, according to league sources. Gallinari is a potent scorer everywhere on the court, in any play type—whether he’s posting up, isolating, or in the pick-and-roll as a screener or ball handler.
Gallinari joined the Thunder as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Paul George to the LA Clippers last summer. The 31-year-old has made 38 appearances for the Thunder, averaging 19.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest.
#2 Robert Covington - Minnesota Timberwolves
Following a rough patch of form, the Minnesota Timberwolves' prospects of making the playoffs are fading, and the team has already sanctioned a trade for Jeff Teague. Considering Minnesota's current position, more talent could leave ahead of the trade deadline, and The Athletic’s John Krawcyzknsi and Shams Charania are reporting that the Mavs are among the teams interested in signing Robert Covington:
Rival teams also say the market for forward Robert Covington has been heating up over recent days. Covington has become a coveted player, with his defensive prowess and outside shooting an ideal fit for most teams in the playoff hunt. Houston, Dallas and Philadelphia are among the teams who have expressed interest in Covington.
Covington joined the Timberwolves back in 2018 as part of the deal that sent Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers. The 29-year-old has made 42 appearances this season, averaging 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per contest. Covington is also shooting a career-high 43.4 percent from the field.
#3 Joakim Noah - Free Agent
While the Dallas front office will be aggressive as they seek to upgrade the roster over the next two weeks, it is possible that they will strikeout. If this is to happen, the Mavs could turn towards the free-agent market, and ESPN's Tim MacMahon is reporting that Joakim Noah is a potential target.
Noah spent the 2018-19 season with the Memphis Grizzlies and experienced somewhat of a resurgence following his disastrous two-year spell with the New York Knicks. Over 42 appearances (1 start), Noah averaged 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 16.5 minutes.
After leaving the rebuilding Grizzlies last summer, Noah was reportedly close to a move to the Los Angeles Lakers as a replacement for the injured DeMarcus Cousins - although LA eventually opted to sign Dwight Howard instead.
The Mavericks have also been linked with centers such as Steven Adams and Andre Drummond, and they have added urgency to bring in at least one big following Dwight Powell's season-ending injury.
Guess the Lakers players!
