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.
Move No. 1 for the Dallas Mavericks
In this first move, the Dallas Mavericks would trade Josh Green, JaVale McGee, and a second-round pick to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, Ryan Rollins, and draft compensation.
The Mavericks are said to be shopping JaVale McGee anyway. Giving up promising young guard Josh Green may hurt, but the Mavericks are over the cap and luxury tax line. The Wizards are rebuilding and are looking to add young talent; they’d likely be more than willing to take a gamble on Green.
Dallas acquires some much-needed shooting and size. Gallinari and Muscala are both 6-foot-10 and shoot well from the outside. They would fit well either in pick-and-pop scenarios or could spread the floor on drive-and-kicks. Plus, they’re on expiring contracts which frees up $10.5 million in cap space next offseason.
Move No. 2 for the Dallas Mavericks
In this second move, as the Mavs continue to retool their roster in a championship-contending manner, they would move Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell to the New York Knicks in exchange for Evan Fournier.
Fournier has been buried on the Knicks bench recently and is said to not have a relationship with his head coach, Tom Thibodeau. He wants out of New York and the Mavericks should pounce. The 30-year-old Frenchman is a career 38 percent three-point shooter and he is also a capable ball handler – those are two attributes that would greatly strengthen the Mavs’ bench heading into next season.
Powell provides insurance for the Knicks as a low-cost center behind Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein. Kleber provides additional size as a shooter at 6-foot-10. Plus, this move saves the Knicks $3 million in cap space as they survey the league for a potential big move down the line.
Move No. 3 for the Dallas Mavericks
A third potential move for the Mavs includes trading Tim Hardaway Jr. and draft compensation (or a young player) to the Toronto Raptors for OG Anunoby, but that could end up being easier said than done.
Anunoby’s name is often mentioned in trade rumors and even though the Raptors haven’t pulled the trigger on a deal yet, there’s a chance he does get moved before the start of the season. He’s an athletic wing who defends and shoots well from the outside, though he has been a bit injury prone. The 67 games he played last season were his most since the 2019-20 season.
By moving Anunoby, Scottie Barnes gets an opportunity to flourish without looking over his shoulder. Acquiring Anunoby gives the Mavericks a younger, taller, and more athletic small forward. Hardaway, Jr. becomes Toronto’s sixth man, a role he could thrive in.
These moves have Dallas taking on an additional $4 million in salary. However, the Mavericks also have a $4.95 million trade exception from last season’s Davis Bertans deal they can use in trades. That helps.
Move No. 4 (bonus move)
To fill out their roster, the Mavs sign Boban Marjanovic to a minimum deal. Is this move necessary? No. However, Marjanovic played in Dallas from 2019-2022 and seemingly has a great relationship with Luka Doncic. The veteran is a great guy and his presence will help with team comradery. Plus, everyone loves Boban.
What the Mavs would look like after such moves
Guards (7): Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Evan Fournier, Seth Curry, Dante Exum, Jaden Hardy, Ryan Rollins
Forwards (4): Grant Williams, OG Anunoby, Danilo Gallinari, Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Centers (4): Richaun Holmes, Mike Muscala, Dereck Lively II, Boban Marjanovic
Projected Starters: Doncic, Irving, Anunoby, Williams, Holmes
These moves could allow head coach Jason Kidd to be able to mix and match his lineups on a nightly basis. The Mavericks will have added both athletic young wings and veterans who can contribute while adding a ton more shooting. This is a roster that could make some noise in the West.
More importantly, it may be enough to keep Luka Doncic happy in Dallas.