Mavs Acquire Nerlens Noel From 76ers

The Mavs did not sit still at the trade deadline, as they made a big trade with Philadelphia for center Nerlens Noel. The Mavericks sent Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson and a protected first round pick to the Sixers for the 22-year-old big man. The pick is top 18 protected in this summer's draft. If the pick falls in the top 18, which it almost certainly will, it will convert into second round picks in 2017 and 18.

Noel was the number 6 pick in the 2013 draft after one year at Kentucky. He is averaging 8.9 points and 5 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game this year. For his career he has averaged 10.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game over three seasons.  He will be a restricted free agent this summer and the Sixers have a logjam at center with Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor. The Mavs will now be able to match any contract offer Noel receives this summer. Noel is known as a strong defender who can both protect the rim and guard the perimeter as well. Bogut is expected to be bought out his contract by the 76ers.

According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, the Mavs will now look to buyout Deron Williams from the remainder of his contract, and make Yogi Ferrell the starting point guard for the remainder of the season.

Utah Reportedly Interested in Deron Williams

According to a report from ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Marc Stein, the Utah Jazz have expressed interest in trading for Mavericks point guard Deron Williams. Williams had his best years with the Jazz but was traded by the team in 2011. Williams can't be traded without his approval but he stills owns a home in Salt Lake City and  remains fond of Utah. The Mavs are looking at possibly trading both Williams and Andrew Bogut by Thursday's 2:00 CT trade deadline as both veterans will be free agents this summer.

Mavericks vs. Magic: Game 54 Preview

Dallas Maverick (21-32) vs. Orlando Magic (20-35)
Sat. Feb. 11, 8:00 at the AAC
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Mavs by 6

2016-17 Matchups
Nov. 19 at Orlando
Magic 95 Mavs 87

All-Time Series
Mavs 31 Magic 25

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 106.1 (23rd)
Def. Rating: 109.0 (18th)
Point Differential: -2.6
Magic
Off. Rating: 103.3 (28th)
Def. Rating: 109.6 (22nd)
Point Differential: -6.0

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Yogi Ferrell
SG; Seth Curry
SF: Wesley Matthews
PF: Harrison Barnes
C: Dirk Nowitzki
Magic
PG: Elfrid Payton
SG: Evan Fournier
SF: Mario Hezonja
PF: Segre Ibaka
C: Nikola Vucevic

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Barnes, 20.4
RPG: Bogut, 8.4
APG: Williams, 7.1
PER: Powell, 19.2
Magic
PPG: Fournier, 16.8
RPG: Vucevic, 9.9
APG: Payton, 5.8
PER: Vucevic, 18.9

Of Note

• The Mavericks are 10-5 since inserting Seth Curry into the starting lineup on Jan. 12. Only two of those losses came by more than five points.
• After failing to score in double figures in four straight games , Dirk has scored 45 points in the last two games, scoring at least 20 points in both games.
• Yogi Ferrell has scored at least 9 points in all 7 games he has played. He also has at least 5 assists in 5 out of the 7 games.
• Harrison Barnes has scored in double figures in all but one game this year. He has scored at least 30 six times including 31 in Thursday's win over Utah.
• Orlando has really struggled of late, losing 8 out of their last 10, with both win coming against Toronto, oddly enough.

Mavericks at Nuggets: Game 51 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (20-30) at Denver Nuggets (22-28)
Mon. Feb. 6, 8:00 at the Pepsi Center
TV: FSSW, NBALP
Line: Nuggets by 3.5

2016-17 Matchups
Dec. 12 at Dallas
Mavs 112 Nuggets 92
Dec. 19 at Denver
Nuggets 117 Mavs 107

All-Time Series
Mavs 86 Nuggets 78

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 106.0 (24th)
Def. Rating: 108.6 (18th)

Point Differential: -2.5
Nuggets
Off. Rating: 111.5 (8th)
Def. Rating: 113.1 (30th)
Point Differential: -1.6

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Yogi Ferrell
SG; Seth Curry
SF: Wesley Matthews
PF: Harrison Barnes
C: Dirk Nowitzki
Nuggets
PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: Gary Harris
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Nikola Jokic

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Barnes, 20.2
RPG: Bogut, 8.4
APG: Williams, 7.1
PER: Powell, 19.2
Nuggets
PPG: Gallinari, 17.2
RPG: Jokic, 8.4
APG: Nelson, 4.6
PER: Jokic, 26.3

Of Note

• The Mavericks enter the game only 2 games back of the Nuggets for 8th place in the West.
• Yogi Ferrell was a nominee for Western Conference Player of the Week. In leading the Mavs to a 4-0 record, Ferrell averaged 17.8 points and 5.0 assists. Stephen Curry won the award.
• J.J. Barea (calf) and Andrew Bogut (hamstring) remain out for the Mavs while Deron Williams (toe) is listed as doubtful.
• Nuggets leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (groin) is out for the Nuggets while Emmanuel Mudiay (back) is questionable. 
• In the two games against the Mavericks this year, Nikola Jokic is averaging 27 points, 13 rebounds and 6.5 assists.

Yogi Ferrell to Sign Two-Year Contract With Mavs

After a sensational first week as a Maverick, the Mavs are making sure that Yogi Ferrell sticks around not only for the rest of this year but next year as well. According to a report from The Vertical's Shams Charania, the Mavs and Ferrell have agreed on a two-year contract that he will sign Tuesday when his 10-day contract expires. Ferrell will make the minimum salary of $2008,00 for the remainder of this year and $1.3 million next year according to The Vertical's Bobby Marks.
The Mavericks are 4-0 with the rookie from Indiana starting at point guard, with Ferrell averaging 17.8 points and 5.0 assists per game. He scored 32 points and made 9 threes in last night's win in Portland. Ferrell was playing in the D-League when the Mavs signed him, after he appeared in 10 games earlier this year for the Nets. He went undrafted after a standout career with the Hoosiers.

Mavericks at Blazers: Game 50 Preview

Dallas Mavericks (19-30) at Portland Trail Blazers (22-28)
Fri. Feb. 3, 9:30 at the Moda Center
TV: FSSW, ESPN
Line: Blazers by 5.5

2016-17 Matchups
Nov. 4 at Dallas
Blazers 105 Mavs 95
Dec. 21 at Portland
Mavs 96 Blazers 95

All-Time Series
Blazers 79 Mavs 69

Team Stats
Mavs
Off. Rating: 105.7 (24th)
Def. Rating: 108.5 (18th)
Point Differential: -2.6
Blazers
Off. Rating: 109.2 (10th)
Def. Rating: 111.5 (26th)
Point Differential: -2.2

Projected Starters
Mavs
PG: Yogi Ferrell
SG; Seth Curry
SF: Wesley Matthews
PF: Harrison Barnes
C: Dirk Nowitzki
Blazers
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: C.J. McCollum
SF: Evan Turner
PF: Noah Vonleh
C: Mason Plumlee

Team Leaders
Mavs
PPG: Barnes, 20.4
RPG: Bogut, 8.4
APG: Williams, 7.1
PER: Powell, 19.2
Blazers
PPG: Lillard, 26.2
RPG: Plumlee, 8.0
APG: Lillard, 5.8
PER: Lillard, 23.0

Of Note

• The Mavs have won 3 games in a row for only the second time all year. They are only 2.5 games behind Portland and Denver for 8th in the West.
• J.J. Barea (calf) and Andrew Bogut (hamstring) are listed as out, while Deron Williams (toe) is listed as doubtful
• The Mavs previous win in Portland on Dec. 21 came thanks to a last second stop of Damian Lillard by former Blazer Wesley Matthews.
• Yogi Ferrell has started all 3 games during the Mavs current win streak, averaging 13 points and 5 assists in 37 minutes per game. 
• Since entering the starting lineup 11 games ago, Seth Curry is averaging 15.8 points while shooting 50% from the field and 47% on threes.

Wesley Matthews to be in 3-Point Contest

Despite not having a player selected to the All-Star Game the Mavericks will still have representation during All-Star Weekend. Wesley Matthews was named as one of eight participants in this year's 3-Point Contest on All-Star Saturday Night. Matthews finished fourth in the 2015 contest when he played for the Blazers. He is the first Mav participant in the event since Dirk in 2008. Matthews has made 129 threes (10th in the league) in 339 attempts this season, good for a percentage of 38.1%. Besides Wes, this year's field includes defending champion Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry, Kemba Walker, Eric Gordon, C.J. McCollum and Nick Young.