Deal of the Day: The Wizards trade with the Mavericks involving Seth Curry and Willie Cauley-Stein

We have explored many trades involving starters or trades that involve just draft picks. But in today’s deal of the day, the Wizards will make a deal that involves .... just reserves — and a second round draft pick. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like there will be much change. But the move can still be a win-win for both teams involved in this Texas two-step (hint-hint).

Washington’s front office knows it needs to find better shooters coming off the bench if the team intends to do more than politely request a spot in the playoffs.

So the Washington Wizards trade guard Ish Smith (92), center Moritz Wagner (61) and the No. 37 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft to the Dallas Mavericks for guard Seth Curry (120) and center Willie Cauley-Stein (125). WCS picks up his player option so he can be included in the deal.

Why do the Mavericks do the deal?

They like Seth, they really do. They just wish he could be counted on to handle the ball a bit more in non-scoring roles if they’re going to pay him $24.4M over the next three seasons, his age 30, 31 and 32 seasons at that. They like the scoring that some of the guards in the draft could provide so they adjust salary accordingly.

In Ish they get a true ball handler who can compromise a defense or play off the ball when needed as evidenced by this season with Bradley Beal. He can do so much more off the dribble than their current guards.

Bonus points for bringing Mo Wags, a German-born stretch 5, to Dallas in the deal.

The Mavs save $1.9M in salary this season and now hold picks at No. 31 and No. 37. Many NBA front offices prefer No. 31 to late first round picks due to salary implications of each.

Why do the Wizards do the deal?

The Wizards have to add snipers this offseason and do so flipping Ish’s 37.5% for Curry’s 45%, (double take) yes that’s the number. With 6’7 Troy Brown Jr. playing on the ball more they can pair him with Seth Curry for an inverted dynamic duo. Curry’s defense hasn’t improved any, but his offense is so efficient that you take it. The Wizards did well at creating good 3 attempts last year and they hope Curry will be taking many many of those next season.

The Wizards have spoken about needing to be better and bigger inside. Willie Cauley-Stein had a sneaky good season split between Golden State and Dallas. He averaged a block and a steal in 20 minutes a night overall. He was closer to 2 steals and 2 blocks with the Warriors. Washington can provide him with more minutes than that. If he can fix his free throw shooting (look, they helped Ian Mahinmi get to 70 percent) WCS would be even more viable. Offensively he’s limited to inside only with 71 percent of his shots coming from 0-3 feet. Good thing for him he shot 70 percent on those attempts.

If Cauley-Stein declines his Player Option he could be a target with a portion of the MLE or even the full BAE.

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