Andrew Bogut is reportedly on the Dallas Mavericks trading block right now and the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers are rumored to be both interested in acquiring the Australian 7-footer.
Bogut, who turned 32 late last month, was traded by the Golden State Warriors along with a future second-round pick to the Mavericks during the summer in exchange for a future conditional second-round pick. The trade was said to be pushed through by the Warriors to free up salary cap space in preparation for Kevin Durant's signing.
Bogut is set to earn $11 million this season, the final year of his three-year, $36 million deal with the Warriors. He will then enter unrestricted free agency at the end of the season and so the Mavs are looking for trade partners who want to sign Bogut rather than lose him for nothing in free-agency next year.
The former Utah Utes standout was initially linked with the Celtics as Boston is reportedly searching for a big center who is a solid rebounder and rim protector. However, according to CBS Sports, the Blazers are also interested in getting the former NBA blocks leader.
Dallas is currently having its worst season in the Dirk Nowitzki era as the team is placed last in the Western Conference with a 6-18 record. Trading Bogut for future pieces would be valuable for the Mavs at this time.
However, Bleacher Report noted that Bogut's fate depends on whether Nowitzki could still come back from injury this year and if Dallas will be able to salvage the season. If those two conditions do not become possible, then it is almost certain that Bogut will get traded in or before February's deadline.
At the moment, the Mavs' "most promising building block" is 24-year-old small forward Harrison Barnes, who has been playing well despite the team's overall struggles. Barnes, who also came from the Warriors, was acquired via free-agency in July and was signed to a four-year, $94 million contract.
Like the Celtics, the Blazers also reportedly needs a big shot-blocker in the middle of their defense and Bogut is the best option available right now in the market.
