NBA: 5 Championship contenders being criminally overlooked as threats
Dallas Mavericks
When the Dallas Mavericks made the move for Kyrie Irving at the NBA Trade Deadline, the hope was that he would be a piece that would help the team emerge as a legit contender in the Western Conference. That didn’t exactly happen. Instead, the Mavs ended up missing the playoffs entirely. Heading into this season, with the additions the Mavs made during the offseason, Dallas is primed to reemerge as a threat to win the West.
On paper, the Mavs may have the most dynamic offensive duo in the league with Kyrie and Luka Doncic. And the team’s supporting cast, with the addition of Grant Williams and Dereck Lively III, will be much improved. It would be shocking if the Mavs weren’t a playoff team this season. But that’s something most would agree with.
Next. LA Clippers: 3 Reasons LA is mishandling the James Harden trade situation. dark
Being a championship contender is an entirely different conversation. However, there’s a case to be made that the Mavs are primed to make that type of leap this season. If they can remain healthy, they’re going to be a headache for much of the West.