Boston Celtics: 2 Daniel Theis trades to the Dallas Mavericks

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Willie Cauley-Stein is not a better shooter than Daniel Theis, but his bounce and athleticism make him a more efficient scorer. In his nearly 40 games with Dallas, WCS has recorded a 67.5% conversion rate at the rim.

That level of efficiency would be a nice complement to a Boston Celtics lineup filled with players who are best while operating with the ball in their hands. Cauley-Stein fits the Tyson Chandler mold that Kobe Bryant allegedly asked of Dwight Howard when the two paired up in Los Angeles nine years ago, and he would gracefully accept that role with the Cs.

Jalen Brunson is more than just a salary throw-in as the Villanova product is enjoying his best season as a professional, knocking on the door of a 50/40/90 season (51.5/38/89 currently).

Why the Dallas Mavericks do it

Cauley-Stein and Brunson are far from keepers, but Daniel Theis could be a glove-fit in the Euro-centric lineup Dallas already deploys. Joining countryman Maxi Kleber, as well as fellow Euroleaguers Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, Theis would bring his screen-sealing and vision to a Doncic-powered enterprise, and slide in as yet another floor-spacing Euro big in the Big D.