9. Dallas Mavericks
Key offseason move: Re-signing Kyrie Irving, acquiring Grant Williams
Entering the NBA offseason will immense pressure, the Dallas Mavericks did a great job in improving the roster around Luka Doncic. It remains to be seen if their additions will translate to an improved on-court product for the Mavs, but you can’t say that this front office didn’t attempt to improve the roster for Luka.
The offseason started with the Mavs making an intriguing selection in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Dallas selected late riser Dereck Lively II out of Duke. He’s an intriguing big-man project that may be able to contribute a little more right away than many believe. To start free agency, the Mavs re-signed Kyrie Irving, something they almost had to do after acquiring him at last year’s NBA Trade Deadline.
They also managed to complete a sign-and-trade deal for Grant Williams with the Boston Celtics. Williams gives the Mavs another 3-and-D wing that is going to fit extremely well next to Kyrie and Luka. The Mavs certainly got better this offseason. If Kyre and Luka can gel quickly, this is a team that could emerge as a dark horse contender in the West.