Teams are bound to face the best of the best the league has to offer in the playoffs.
The Dallas Mavericks are no exception, as they may have to face the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James in a seven-game series just to reach the NBA Finals. To help the Mavs match up against those opponents, FanSided suggests that they trade for Patrick Williams of the Chicago Bulls in a "perfect" scenario.
According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Williams was made available by the Bulls in trade talks after signing a five-year, $90 million contract in the offseason. Williams' shooting numbers are down a bit after shooting nearly 40% from three-point range last season despite playing on a team that has made the second-most triples this season.
However, Dallas generates more "open" three-pointers than Chicago, especially when Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving draw multiple defenders. The Florida State product would thrive in a situation where looks are more naturally created for him, whether it's getting open behind the arc or cutting to the basket.
But the real benefit could be having the 6-foot-7 forward take on the challenge of defending the league's best scorers deep in postseason games and help the Mavs secure timely stops.
A potential defensive rotation of Williams, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, Quentin Grimes, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford gives Dallas coach Jason Kidd plenty of mix-and-match options alongside Doncic and Irving.
The price tag for the 23-year-old may be steep, but Dallas could be the place that allows the talented two-way wing to grow closer to his fullest potential.
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