Pachulia trade could be the steal of the off-season

Once this season is over, that Zaza Pachulia to the Dallas Mavericks trade might turn out to be the steal of the off-season.

The Mavericks acquired Pachulia from the Milwaukee Bucks on July 9 for a second-round draft pick. At the time, not many in the NBA circles thought much of what appeared to be just another trade.

Pachulia, however, has prospered so much that he’s tied for fourth in the league in double-doubles with 16.

"He’s been a foundation player for us this year,’’ coach Rick Carlisle said after Monday morning’s shootaround. "I know a lot of people are surprised at his production, but I’m not that surprised now that I’ve gotten to know him.

"He’s experienced, he’s prideful, he’s skilled, and he’s in a situation that he’s never been in where it’s a team that needs a guy to be a starter. He’s been very positive with us.’’

Tonight at 7:30 at American Airlines Center, Pachulia will get to show his former team what they miss when the Mavericks (17-13) host the Bucks (12-19).

Pachulia is averaging 10.2 points and a career-high 10.4 rebounds per game this season.

"With a new team you really don’t know what to expect,’’ Pachulia said. "But I believe one thing – hard work, stay professional, do the things that you’ve been doing during your career.

‘I’m definitely enjoying. . .representing this city, the franchise, great teammates, great coaching staff, the fans are amazing. So I just have to go out there and play hard.’’

Pachulia has been one of the glue players, and arguably their most productive interior player.

"I think any time you play your former team it’s meaningful,’’ Carlisle said. "But you have to ask him.

"It’s an important game for our team tonight, so we’ve got to all be ready, I’m sure he’ll be ready. We’ve got to make sure he’s not so geeked up he goes out there and gets fouls.’’

Pachulia played for the Bucks during his second year in the NBA – the 2004-’05 campaign. That year, he averaged 6.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in only 18.9 minutes per game.

From there, Pachulia went on and played the ensuing eight seasons for the Atlanta Hawks before returning to the Bucks on July 17, 2013.

Pachulia averaged 7.7 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Bucks two seasons ago, and 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds for them last season. He also helped them reach the playoffs last year, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls in the first round.

Without Pachulia, however, the Bucks have been struggling this season.

"Of course I’ve been following the (Bucks),’’ Pachulia. "I had good memories from there.

"The chemistry was amazing, especially last year, so I care about those guys, except tonight. They’re going to be great in the future, because they have an amazing coaching staff starting from (coach) Jason Kidd to all the assistants.’’

It’s was a coaching staff which Pachulia credits for helping him being the player he is today.

"I worked with them,’’ Pachulia said. "So it was very beneficial for me.’’

Pachulia admits Monday’s contest is not just another game for him.

"It’s a special feeling going against your old team, the guys you practiced with a long time and played together,’’ Pachulia said. "But since I’m a team player, it’s all about the team to win the game – that’s what I care about.’’

Dwain Price can be heard every Wednesday from 3-4 p.m. on dfwiradio.com　

This story was originally published December 28, 2015 at 12:16 PM with the headline "Pachulia trade could be the steal of the off-season."