Dallas Mavericks Sign Trey Burke, Trade For James Johnson On Day 1 Of NBA Free Agency

Day 1 of the NBA’s free agency period did not disappoint. A slew of proposed signings and trades took place. The Dallas Mavericks sat on the sidelines in the early going, but the organization jumped into the fray as the evening wore on, bolstering their roster with talent to surround stars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.

Coming into the off-season, the Mavericks’ needs were clear. The team needed to add more wing depth to compete in a league that is growing more positionless. There was also a determination to add more tough and physical players. So far, the organization is checking those boxes nicely.  

Dallas’ first free agency decision was a matter of housekeeping. The team is retaining guard Trey Burke. Burke and the Mavericks agreed to terms on a three-year deal in the range of $10 million, multiple outlets are reporting. Because Burke was a late season roster addition, he did not establish Bird rights. Dallas signed him using part of its $9.3 million mid-level exception.

Burke, 28, joined the Mavericks as a replacement player as the NBA prepared to resume play in the bubble it established at Walt Disney World
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in Orlando, Florida. It was his second stint with the team after coming to Dallas from the New York Knicks in the blockbuster deal for Porzingis. In Orlando, Burke was instant offense off the bench. He averaged 12 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 23.9 minutes in the eight seeding games—including a 31-point outburst in his first game.

In the playoffs, it was more of the same from the seven-year vet. He posted averages of 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.1 minutes. Burke also started the Mavericks final three playoff games, sliding into the starting five after Porzingis sustained a right knee injury that kept him from playing.

Signing Burke helps alleviate some of the bench scoring issues the Mavericks had last season. When either Doncic or Porzingis would rest, the offense would sputter—if not grind to a halt. Burke is an adroit scorer, who can create for himself, but he’s also capable of running an offense as a primary point guard. Mavericks Head Coach regularly insists on having multiple ball handlers on the floor and Burke gives him that option.

The Mavericks’ other big move is the acquisition of 11-year veteran forward James Johnson, according to multiple outlets. To get him, it cost Dallas two deep rotation players.  As part of a three-team trade, the Mavericks get Johnson from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for guard Delon Wright, who they are sending to the Detroit Pistons, and Justin Jackson, who is joining the Thunder. The Thunder also received Trevor Ariza from the Pistons and draft compensation.

In Johnson, 33, the Mavericks are getting a tough-nosed, defensive minded player they desire. He has career averages of 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Dallas isn’t bringing him in to start, but instead as a bench player who can serve as kind of enforcer when opponents get physical with Doncic.

Johnson’s signing is also lucrative financially for the Mavericks. He’s entering the final year of his current three-year, $43.29 million deal. He’ll earn $16.04 million this coming season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2021. The free agency class in 2021 will be particularly desirable—it includes Giannis Antetokounmpo—and the Mavericks should be major players, at least on paper.    

Wright and Jackson never materialized as consistent rotation players for Dallas. Wright saw the most playing time of the two as part of the second unit. Still, he seemed lost on the floor at times and was a reluctant shooter. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals last season.

Wright joined the Mavericks as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019. His current three-year, $28.05 million contract—$27 million guaranteed—expires in 2022.

As for Jackson, he was a deep bench resource. He came over with Zach Randolph, who Dallas bought out, as part of the trade that sent Harrison Barnes to the Sacramento Kings last season. In 65 games this season, Jackson averaged 5.5 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.1 minutes. He has one year left on his contract worth $5.04 million.

These are just Dallas’ latest moves. On Wednesday, the Mavericks made a trade that sent sharp-shooting guard Seth Curry to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for forward Josh Richardson, another move that improved the Mavs’ perimeter depth. Combined with their draft picks—Josh Green, Tyrell Terry, Tyler Bey—Dallas is undergoing a wholesale restructuring of its role players.

The Mavericks’ needs were apparent after their playoff loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. Rather than sit on their hands, the front office is making moves to address all of those concerns. Mavericks fans have to be pleased seeing the team being proactive.