Dallas Mavericks
Why It Makes Sense for the Portland Trail Blazers:
This trade serves two purposes for the Portland Trail Blazers. It provides Portland with a true high-quality perimeter defender who at the same time is on a team-friendly contract which can help alleviate the team’s cap woes.
Delon Wright would find himself immediately as a key part of the Portland Trail Blazers rotation, either as a starter or one of the first guys off the bench. While he is not a prolific scorer, he is efficient when called upon and can make the occasional three-point shot. Where Wright’s true value lies is in the rest of his game.
Per 36 minutes, Wright was one of only six players to average over 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.9 steals per game last season. Among those six players are NBA superstars like Kawhi Leonard, Ben Simmons, and Jimmy Butler.
His defense is also stellar and he is especially adept at stealing the ball. Wright ranked in the top 10 in steal rate last season and the top 20 in defensive box plus-minus.
An especially enticing positive for Portland is Wright’s contract. He’s making under ten million dollars next season and his pay will only continue to fall due to his front-loaded contract. Flipping Ariza for him saves nearly 3 million dollars next season which can be used in free agency.
Why It Makes Sense for the Dallas Mavericks:
Wright appears to be the odd man out in Dallas’s rotation. Rich Carlisle played Wright sparingly during the Mavericks playoff series versus the Los Angeles Clippers. He only got significant minutes in game five, which was a 43 point blowout for LA.
The Mavs want shooters surrounding Luka Doncic at the guard positions and Wright does not fit the bill. He lost minutes to Seth Curry and Trey Burke gradually throughout the season and it would make sense for the Mavericks to move on from him this offseason.
Getting back Trevor Ariza gives the Mavericks an experienced forward who plays well off the ball. He can immediately fill into the starting small forward spot which the Mavs have desperately lacked this season. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was the only player on their roster officially listed as a small forward in 2019-2020.