A report suggests that the Mavs could be thinking about a trade to acquire Cam Johnson.
It was a quiet Day 1 evening of NBA free agency for your Dallas Mavericks, which isn't always out of the ordinary.
But the morning after, there were a few signings around the league that have gone final, which hints at the possibility that the Mavs could join the party and make a move.
According to The Athletic, Dallas is showing some type of interest in 3-point shooting by potentially targeting versatile forward Cam Johnson of the Denver Nuggets.
"Rival teams consistently point to Nuggets forward Cam Johnson, acquired last summer in a deal that sent away Michael Porter Jr., as the most likely candidate to be dealt, in large part because the 30-year-old has just one season left on his deal at $23 million," reporter Sam Amick writes. "Miami and Dallas are believed to be among the many interested teams."
There are other teams interested in Johnson - a 6-8 veteran with rangy athleticism and experience off the bench and as a regular starter.
As Amick alludes to, Johnson's free agency future falls back on this upcoming season being the final year of his $94.5 million deal.
Judging by last season's production, there is also good reason to believe teams are interested in his skillset.
Johnson nailed 43 percent of his shots from 3-point range on nearly five attempts per game. In total, he averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in over 30 minutes a night in 54 appearances (all starts).
Although he's faced some injuries lately, the marksmanship hasn't seen much of a drop off year after year when he's on the floor.
While the eye-test is a fit - a boost in one of Dallas' weakest areas and another long-body wing that can do a little bit of everything (the Masai Ujiri formula) - there are still some worries.
Johnson's $22.5 million flyer due next season isn't the easiest to willingly swallow when it comes in addition to Kyrie Irving's massive contract and restructured deals around the roster. However, the Mavs do have enough financial flexibility to make about one of these types of additions this offseason.
At 30 years of age, Johnson's situation also isn't the easiest to commit to an extension on, meaning a trade could mean just a one-and-done season before he goes elsewhere in free agency.
If Ujiri and the Mavs believe they are really that close to contention, then maybe that's a gamble worth taking. Johnson is certainly a piece that can help the Mavs return to the playoffs at the very least.
Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford or P.J. Washington - with the latter being the most similar player archetype - could be possible trade assets in a deal that nets Johnson.
The other path is a more future-focused plan for building continuity around Cooper Flagg, where youth and potential might be more valuable than immediate production in a much-needed spot.
A trade for Johnson wouldn't completely rid the Mavs of those plans, but it could force Dallas to give up players it otherwise would've kept longer and be somewhat of a delay in making long-lasting moves.
