Is The Dallas Mavericks’ Future in Danger?
The Dallas Mavericks’ season ended with a disappointing loss in the Finals to the Boston Celtics in 5 games. Being just the 5th seed, it was expected that the Mavericks would make it to the Conference Finals at best. However, led by their superstar backcourt duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, the Mavericks would cruise their way through the playoffs, before running into the Celtics. Despite the immense talent the Celtics possessed, many believed the Mavericks would be the ones holding the Larry O’Brien trophy. After all, they had the best backcourt duo in the league, which many believed was enough to bring down the mighty Celtics.
However, Kyrie would no show in Boston, with the Celtics fans’ derogatory chants and taunting proving to be too much for Kyrie to handle. Without their superstar point guard playing like a superstar, the Mavericks would fall to the powerhouse Celtics.
Kyrie’s poor performance was by far not the sole reason for the Mavericks’ loss. Luka and Kyrie combined for half the teams’ points, and the Mavericks team as a whole struggled to shoot the ball. The Mavericks struggled guarding the perimeter, allowing the Celtics many open looks from behind the three-point line. But most of all, their team was not built to compete with a Celtics roster that had no weaknesses all around.
This NBA offseason, the Mavericks will look for ways to improve the weaknesses that haunted them during the Finals. However, this may be easier said than done. Derrick Jones Jr. is an upcoming free agent, and to retain him, the Mavericks would likely need to overpay him. The Mavericks will likely overpay Jones to not let him walk, as moving backward after losing the Finals would not be ideal.
With the Mavericks well over the cap, they would need to trade players like Tim Hardaway Jr. or Maxi Kleber in order to make key signings in free agency. One free agent that the Mavericks will look to sign is none other than Klay Thompson. However, the Mavericks' biggest needs this offseason are consistent shooting and defenders who can guard the perimeter. While Klay in his prime would fit this build perfectly, consistent shooting is Klay’s biggest nemesis at this point of his career. This SHOULD eliminate Klay as a potential candidate for the Mavericks.
Another candidate the Mavericks can look at is Buddy Hield. Buddy Hield is a renowned shooter who would surely address the Mavericks’ need for shooting. However, with the Sixers having just traded for him at the deadline, it is likely the Sixers will offer him a contract he cannot refuse, unless the Sixers indeed acquire Paul George.
That brings me to another candidate for the Mavs. Paul George is a typical 3-and-D player who could fill the holes the Mavericks had this past season. However, George would demand a hefty contract, and his renowned postseason failures could haunt the Mavs if they acquire him.
Possible trade targets for the Mavericks include Matisse Thybulle, Trent Murphy Jr., Cam Johnson, and Bruce Brown. Johnson and Murphy are players who can serve as key wing defenders and stretch the floor. Thybulle is an illustrious defender, but would serve as a liability on offense. Brown was vital to the Nuggets championship run on both offense and defense, and he could potentially provide the same spark for the Mavericks. However, acquiring these players could serve as a major challenge. With Alex Caruso commanding a young and mega-talented player in Josh Giddey, whether or not people would like to acknowledge his talent, it is hard to imagine the Mavericks could offer anything close to Josh Giddey in a package for a 3-and-D player.
Even if the Mavericks can make substantial moves to improve their team, one question still remains. Kyrie Irving. Remember the 2022 NBA season, when the Nets had the trio of Kyrie, Durant, and Harden, who were expected to make a Finals run? It was all put to a halt when Kyrie refused a vaccine, putting him out for half the season. Through this saga, James Harden requested a trade, breaking up the championship core that fell apart, all because Kyrie refused a vaccine.
During the 2023 season, Kyrie made anti-Semitic comments on social media, then refused to apologize, before finally giving in. Kyrie would be suspended by the Nets for his actions.
This past season, Kyrie was able to play the entire season without stirring up drama. However, it is clear that Kyrie has bigger priorities than basketball, and another Kyrie Irving suspension could put a fork in the Mavericks' championship hopes.
Luka Doncic’s contract expires after the 2026 NBA season. After next season, Kyrie will have a player option. If more drama stirs up for Kyrie, it is unlikely a team will offer Kyrie a long-term deal, and he will have to settle for his player option like he did after the 2023 NBA season. With limited moves the Mavericks can make to improve this offseason, they will likely have to run it back with essentially the same squad. With the Western Conference being the powerhouse it has been for the past decade, it will be difficult for the Mavericks to get back to the Finals with the same team. After next season, the Mavericks will look to change their roster drastically in hopes that they can build a team good enough to support Luka and win a chip. However, after the next 2 seasons, if the Mavericks don’t give Luka the support he needs, he will walk out the door, and the Mavericks will have squandered one of the greatest talents the league has seen.
