- Joined
- May 8, 2002
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Athlete social media activity is usually noise, but every so often it leaves a trail of evidence about what a player wants. Bennedict Mathurin has left a couple of them pointing straight at Dallas this week.
The trail started Thursday when Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that the Clippers, while hoping to keep Mathurin, would be open to moving him in the right framework.
“While the Clippers hope to retain Bennedict Mathurin, sources say Los Angeles, like Denver with Payton Watson, would be willing to partake in sign-and-trade scenarios that deliver Mathurin elsewhere,” Fischer wrote.
That opened the door for speculation and NBA writer Jake Weinbach walked through it, posting that the Mavericks would be a team worth monitoring for Mathurin in a sign-and-trade framework. Mathurin liked the post.
It was not the first time he had engaged with the idea. Earlier this week, he also liked a post floating a “Mathurin for Gafford” trade. Two likes on two separate posts about the same destination are enough to get noticed, especially for a player whose future is unsettled.
The fit makes sense, Mathurin averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season between Indiana and Los Angeles. After joining the Clippers, he averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 28 minutes per game while making one start in 26 appearances. He closed the season with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, in the play-in loss to Golden State.
READ MORE: Mavericks Update: LeBron James Signing Reunion With Kyrie Irving or Anthony Davis?
That is the kind of scorer Dallas lacks outside of Kyrie Irving. Mathurin could start at shooting guard or lead the second unit as a primary scorer and either role would fill a real need. The Mavericks spent last season watching rookie Cooper Flagg carry a heavy offensive load with Irving sidelined. Adding a shot-creator would ease that burden immediately.
READ MORE: Mavericks' Naji Marshall Earns Major Respect in New Ranking
From Mathurin’s side, the appeal is obvious. Playing next to Flagg and Irving would mean cleaner looks than he has seen before, with two players drawing defensive attention and opening space around him. For a 24-year-old entering his prime, that is a strong pitch.
The Gafford angle makes the idea more complicated. Daniel Gafford’s name has circulated in trade talks and Dallas has a crowded frontcourt after matching Moussa Cisse’s offer sheet. The Clippers also need help in the middle, so on paper it is the kind of deal that could work.
The problem is Dallas’ center depth. Dereck Lively II’s recovery timeline remains unclear and moving Gafford would leave the Mavericks thin if Lively is not ready. Trading proven frontcourt production for a wing is a risk.
Still, Mathurin’s likes suggest he is at least open to the conversation.
Continue reading...
The trail started Thursday when Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported that the Clippers, while hoping to keep Mathurin, would be open to moving him in the right framework.
“While the Clippers hope to retain Bennedict Mathurin, sources say Los Angeles, like Denver with Payton Watson, would be willing to partake in sign-and-trade scenarios that deliver Mathurin elsewhere,” Fischer wrote.
That opened the door for speculation and NBA writer Jake Weinbach walked through it, posting that the Mavericks would be a team worth monitoring for Mathurin in a sign-and-trade framework. Mathurin liked the post.
It was not the first time he had engaged with the idea. Earlier this week, he also liked a post floating a “Mathurin for Gafford” trade. Two likes on two separate posts about the same destination are enough to get noticed, especially for a player whose future is unsettled.
The fit makes sense, Mathurin averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season between Indiana and Los Angeles. After joining the Clippers, he averaged 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 28 minutes per game while making one start in 26 appearances. He closed the season with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range, in the play-in loss to Golden State.
READ MORE: Mavericks Update: LeBron James Signing Reunion With Kyrie Irving or Anthony Davis?
That is the kind of scorer Dallas lacks outside of Kyrie Irving. Mathurin could start at shooting guard or lead the second unit as a primary scorer and either role would fill a real need. The Mavericks spent last season watching rookie Cooper Flagg carry a heavy offensive load with Irving sidelined. Adding a shot-creator would ease that burden immediately.
READ MORE: Mavericks' Naji Marshall Earns Major Respect in New Ranking
From Mathurin’s side, the appeal is obvious. Playing next to Flagg and Irving would mean cleaner looks than he has seen before, with two players drawing defensive attention and opening space around him. For a 24-year-old entering his prime, that is a strong pitch.
The Gafford angle makes the idea more complicated. Daniel Gafford’s name has circulated in trade talks and Dallas has a crowded frontcourt after matching Moussa Cisse’s offer sheet. The Clippers also need help in the middle, so on paper it is the kind of deal that could work.
The problem is Dallas’ center depth. Dereck Lively II’s recovery timeline remains unclear and moving Gafford would leave the Mavericks thin if Lively is not ready. Trading proven frontcourt production for a wing is a risk.
Still, Mathurin’s likes suggest he is at least open to the conversation.
Continue reading...
