KD fallout: Bogut traded to the Mavs

The dominoes are starting to fall after Kevin Durant’s defection to the Warriors.

Andrew Bogut became one of those pieces after he was reportedly traded to the Dallas Mavericks, in a salary dump manoeuvre, amidst the fallout from Durant’s dramatic move.

Dallas Mavericks agree to a deal with Golden State Warriors for center Andrew Bogut. (via @ESPNSteinLine) pic.twitter.com/MzBEvMp6QM

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 4, 2016

The Warriors were reportedly ‘frustrated’ with Bogut’s performance during the playoffs and actively looked to shed the Aussie big man.

Despite the failure to win the NBA title this season, Bogut had an outstanding season with the Warriors, helping the Dubs to the greatest regular season record in NBA history whilst averaging 5.4 points, 7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 blocks in 20.7 minutes per game.

In Bogut, the Mavs acquire an elite interior defender, who led the Warriors in blocks per game. The Dubs also rebounded and defended better when Bogut was on the court, during the regular season.

Bogut also led the league in Defensive Real Plus-Minus, underscoring his elite value on that end of the floor. He would represent somewhat of an anomaly for the Mavs – a big man that can pass and facilitate – potentially unlocking all sorts of goodness under Rick Carlisle.

For the Bogut, the move away from a championship favourite to a team perennially fighting for a playoff berth will be bitter-sweet. Whilst on the surface it represents a downgrade in terms of organisational situation, going to the Mavs also offers the chance for a more prominent role, and could potentially see a spike in his raw numbers in what is a contract year.

The Houston Rockets reportedly also made a late push to trade for the Aussie.

Rockets made a late push to trade for Warriors center Andrew Bogut according to a source. Currently Clint Capela... https://t.co/KIbWLJKjdJ

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) July 4, 2016

The trade cannot be formalised and no deal can be signed until the leaguewide moratorium lifts on July 7.