Exploring four bold and low radar moves to help the Dallas Mavericks continue to build a contender around Luka Doncic.
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks looked like a team on the rise after the 2022 NBA playoffs. They upset the 64-win Phoenix Suns in the West Semis and made it to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors.
Jalen Brunson left Dallas in free agency that offseason and the Mavericks traded for Christian Wood. Other than that, head coach Jason Kidd’s squad was running it back with the same team to start the 2022-23 season.
It looked as if 2023 would be “The Year of Luka” early on. Doncic emerged as an MVP candidate after a stretch where he posted three 50-point games in five games around Christmas. That included a 60-point, 21-rebound, and 10-assist performance in an exciting December 27th win against the New York Knicks.
Despite Luka’s heroics, Dallas hovered around .500 for most of the season. The Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving on February 6th for a package that included Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith. They thought pairing Doncic and Irving in the same backcourt would help Dallas compete in the West, even if it meant sacrificing some depth.
It didn’t. The Dallas Mavericks were 29-26 at the time of the trade. They went a dismal 9-18 after which, according to StatMuse, included a 5-11 record when Doncic and Irving played together. The Mavs went from being on the doorstep of the NBA Finals to missing the play-in in the West.
There is a sense of urgency to field a contender around the 24-year-old Doncic in Dallas. He is under contract for at least three more seasons, but player empowerment in the NBA is at an all-time high. What the Mavericks probably fear is that Doncic could eventually ask for a trade, a la Damian Lillard.
The Mavericks’ front office has already made some solid moves this offseason. Dallas re-signed Kyrie Irving, brought back veteran sharpshooter Seth Curry, signed young three-and-D forward Grant Williams, and traded for energetic center Richaun Holmes.
Here is how the Dallas Mavericks’ current roster stands:
Guards (7): Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway, Jr., Josh Green, Seth Curry, Dante Exum, Jaden Hardy
Forwards (3): Grant Williams, Maxi Kleber, Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Centers (4): Richaun Holmes, JaVale McGee, Dereck Lively II, Dwight Powell
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are ball-dominant guards. They are at their best when the floor is spaced with shooters. That was the Mavericks’ recipe for success in 2021-22. They can have that type of roster again in three moves.