Boston Celtics: 2 potential Evan Fournier sign-and-trade destinations

Boston Celtics’ Evan Fournier sign-and-trade partner #2: Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks could be in a similar situation to the Pacers this upcoming offseason if they don’t survive the second half of this once-in-a-lifetime wild ride of an NBA season. So far, they have underwhelmed following a perilously slow start that may ultimately threaten their chances of snagging one of the final eight playoff spots.

After taking the Los Angeles Clippers to six games in the quarterfinals of the Western Conference playoffs last year, it seemed as though another step forward for Luka Doncic and the Mavericks was imminent.

Instead, the team has remained in a battle for one of the play-in tournament slots. To their credit, they do own the highest seed of the prospective postseason play-in and sit just two games back of the #6 seeded Portland Trailblazers.

In the same vein, they are only 4.5 games ahead of the #11 seed and missing the postseason altogether.

Just as Indiana is a long-shot to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the year, Dallas would need a minor miracle to end up being content with their current lineup.

Fournier could potentially replace impending free agent Tim Hardaway Jr. in Dallas, where his offensive firepower could help take the heat off of Doncic. In return, the Cs could explore returning capable frontcourt players like Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber to Beantown.