Could Jameer Nelson help the Mavericks?

As part of a post outlining potential trades the Dallas Mavericks could make to improve their standing in the Western Conference, Joe Kaiser of ESPN Insider suggests that they acquire Jameer Nelson from the Orlando Magic. Defense, particularly at point guard, Kaiser says, has been one of Dallas' weaknesses as it's stumbled to a 17-23 record, 12th in the West, and Nelson can address that issue.

In return, Kaiser suggests Dallas offer a package of point guard Darren Collison, swingman Vince Carter, and swingman Dahntay Jones to Orlando for Nelson. As the Magic have the league-maximum 15 players under contract, they'd have to waive two of those players in such an unbalanced deal.

Collison, who will enter restricted free agency in July, would be the prize of the trade. Now in his fourth season out of UCLA, the 25-year-old is averaging 12.9 points and 5.1 assists in 39 appearances. Long-term, dealing Nelson would enable the Magic to focus on rebuilding their point-guard rotation through the draft, where Kaiser says they could nab Michael Carter-Williams or Marcus Smart. Collison could also be an option if Orlando elected to re-sign him.

Nelson is averaging 14.9 points and 7.2 assists for Orlando in 2012/13. He signed a three-year contract, worth as much $25.2 million, with the club in July.

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