Rockets land proven 3-point specialist in proposed trade

Why the Mavs make the deal

The Mavericks are ready to punt on the Hardaway experiment, as they've reportedly been shopping the 3-point specialist. Rafael Stone and the Rockets could present a deal that's too difficult to pass up, as three second-round picks are far greater than any other package the Mavs would net for Hardaway.

Hardaway is owed $33.9 million over the next two seasons and Dallas signed Seth Curry in free agency, who is a better shooter than Hardaway. Curry, a career 43.5 percent 3-point shooter, made 40.5 percent from three in 2022-23. 

By comparison, Hardaway is a career 36.1 percent shooter and made 38.5 percent of his treys last season. 

And Curry just landed a two-year deal worth $8 million.

Not to mention the rise of Jaden Hardy, which would restrict Hardaway's minutes even further. The Mavs gave up two second-round draft picks to the Boston Celtics in the Grant Williams trade and they'd surely love to have three second-round draft selections back, especially for a player that was likely going to be squeezed for minutes.

They also know how valuable those picks can be after making the move. This would be a smart move for Dallas.