Mavericks, Knicks In Blockbuster Trade

The Dallas Mavericks took a major stride in their quest to be respectable again before Dirk Nowitzki’s career ends, acquiring former Mavericks and 2011 championship starter Tyson Chandler from the New York Knicks. The deal will involve six players, according to CBS Sports, and will give the Knicks the some much needed flexibility with the salary cap to try to lure a significant free agent in hopes of keeping Carmelo Anthony in town.

According to reports, the Mavericks will send Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin and two 2014 draft picks (34, 51) to the Knicks in return for Chandler and Raymond Felton.

For Dallas, this corrects a mistake that was made in the wake of the 2011 championship. Chandler was allowed to walk away in free agency, and the Mavs have struggled to solidify the position ever since. Giving up Calderon means Dallas is probably in the market for a starting point guard. Felton is capable of filling that role, but he is certainly a step back from Calderon. It’s also possible that Dallas could be looking to make Devin Harris their starting point guard after he finally got healthy and played admirably in the team’s first round loss to San Antonio. Either way, Chandler is the prize in this deal for Dallas, while Felton is the baggage they took to make the deal work.

For New York, the loss of Chandler is significant, but they got a point guard upgrade is Calderon, an exciting young prospect in Larkin and they could potentially clear a significant amount of cap space in the bargain. Dalembert could be bought out for $1.8 million and help save the Knicks $5.9 million.

The Mavericks are the clear winners in this trade in the sh0rt-term, as starting centers are extremely hard to come by. Acquiring Chandler will demonstrate to Nowitzki that the team is committed to contending, while also assuring some extra ticket sales as fans rally around one of their favorite former players. Chandler’s impact in the locker room will also make Dallas better immediately. The Knicks, on the other hand, gave themselves some potential to make another move, but this move alone sets them back in that they are now in the unenviable position of looking for a starting center.