The Dallas Mavericks took a risk when they acquired Rajon Rondo last season. They knew he'd hurt their spacing but thought his defense and passing would make up for it. They hoped he and coach Rick Carlisle would work well together and Rondo would be around for the long haul. They were very wrong, and they have moved on.
"S--- happens, right?" Cuban said Wednesday before the Mavericks' game against the Boston Celtics. "There's a lot of risks I've taken that have worked out just fine. They're not all gonna work. I think when it's all said and done, that Crowder-for-Powell trade will be a break even."
On that note, here are the season averages for both Jae Crowder and Dwight Powell, via ESPN's Tim McMahon:
Players left from Rondo deal: BOS SF Jae Crowder: 10.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 3.0 spg DAL C/PF Dwight Powell: 10.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.5 apg
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) November 18, 2015
Both seem like valuable role players -- Crowder re-signed for five years and $35 million in Boston, and Powell has exceeded every expectation since landing in Dallas. The Celtics also nabbed a first-round pick and a second-round pick from the Mavericks in the deal, plus they flipped center Brandan Wright to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for either a first-round pick or two second-round picks from the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, depending on how the Wolves finish.
It's fair to say Boston won the trade, especially considering how well Wright was playing before the deal. It's also fair to point out that Dallas knew Rondo might be an awkward fit next to Monta Ellis in the backcourt. The Mavericks needed to make a move if they wanted to try to become a contender last season, and they were aware that they could let Rondo walk if things went south. That's what happened, and that's OK. Cuban wasn't crazy for going for it, and he's right that not every trade is going to work out.
