Report: Dallas Mavericks are interested in trading for T.J. Warren

According to Ian Begley of SNY, the Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams who have expressed interest in trading for Suns forward T.J. Warren.

Dallas only owns one pick in this year’s draft at No. 37. If Phoenix’s main objective in offloading Warren and Jackson is to gain salary space, a straight player-for-pick swap here makes sense. Under this scenario, the Suns could have picks at Nos. 32 and 37, which allows them an opportunity to trade up into the mid-late first round.

Trading Warren’s contract would create over $10 million in cap space immediately, upping the Suns’ total to $5.8 million when factoring in the No. 6 pick’s rookie-scale salary. Also, if Phoenix is able to deal Jackson as well, that figure rises even higher to $26.9 million.

Last season, Warren averaged 18 points per game while also dramatically improving his three-point shooting prowess. The North Carolina State product saw his three-point percentage jump from 22.2 percent on 1.4 attempts to 42.8 percent on 4.2 attempts. Even with this development, the defense continued to make his fit alongside Devin Booker not great. Out of the four Suns wings who played minutes with Booker and Deandre Ayton, Warren carried the lowest defensive rating.

Warren’s fit in Dallas would be a snug one with Kristaps Porzingis covering for him at the rim. The Mavericks also have the necessary cap space to absorb Warren’s remaining salary without sending back their own in return. This seems like a win-win scenario for both sides, if this indeed is gaining traction leading up to tonight’s draft.

Will Warren and Jackson be dealt before the draft ends tonight, as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggested earlier this week? Stay glued to Bright Side throughout the day as we’ll continue to keep you updated.