After throwing in the towel on the Kristaps Porzingis experiment at last season’s trade deadline and then watching Jalen Brunson leave for New York as a free agent during the offseason, the Mavericks don’t have a great candidate on their roster to emerge as a second star alongside Luka Doncic.
Christian Wood is a gifted scorer and rebounder, but his defensive shortcomings limit his two-way impact — Dallas hasn’t even been comfortable inserting him into the starting lineup for that reason. Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Maxi Kleber are among the Mavericks’ other top rotation players who are solid in their roles, but not won’t be making any All-Star teams.
As great as Doncic is, the Mavs probably need to add at least one more impact player to be a legitimate title contender, but they’re not in a great position to make that sort of trade this season. They owe their 2023 first-round pick to New York as a result of the original Porzingis trade and have traded away four future second-rounders. Their roster also lacks a top young prospect who could be the centerpiece of a trade for a star.
Dallas’ future outlook was the primary topic of discussion on the most recent episode of Brian Windhorst’s Hoop Collective podcast. As Windhorst and ESPN colleagues Tim MacMahon and Tim Bontemps observed, the Mavs will be facing increased pressure to connect on their next big roster move, given that Doncic is now on his second contract.
While it wasn’t an ideal outcome, the Mavs could afford to swing and miss on Porzingis because they made that move while Doncic was still on his rookie scale contract and they knew they’d be able to extend him beyond that. Now that his rookie scale extension – which has an opt-out after year four – has begun, the clock is ticking for the franchise to prove to the All-NBA guard that he should want a long-term future in Dallas.
“I think they have a two-year window here,” MacMahon said (hat tip to RealGM). “This season and next season going into that summer (of 2024). I think they’ve got a two-year window where, you know, like Milwaukee did with Giannis (Antetokounmpo), I think in that window they really need to convince Luka that he has a chance to contend year in and year out right here in Dallas.
“If they can’t get it done in that two-year window, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that he’s going to force a trade or ask for a trade. I’m just saying at that point if he’s not happy, he has all the leverage in the world if he would be looking to leave.
“I’m also not going to pretend like I know his innermost thoughts, but obviously I’m around this team on a regular basis. I know people who do know Luka well. I don’t think Luka will look for reasons to leave. I think he’d be perfectly happy spending his entire career in Dallas. But if he doesn’t have to look for reasons and they’re slamming him in the face, that’s a problem.
“He’s also a guy who is a ruthless competitor, which means he loves winning. He’s used to winning. He won championships with Real Madrid. He’s won a EuroBasket championship with the Slovenian national team. He also detests losing. Like, can’t handle it. Whether it’s cards, ping pong, but especially NBA games.”
MacMahon went on to say that he thinks it will be “awfully hard” for the Mavs to acquire a second star as long as they still owe the Knicks a first-round pick. That means Dallas could end up waiting until the 2023 offseason or the 2024 deadline to make its next big move, especially since more stars could land on the trade block by that time.
We want to know what you think. Is there a path for the Mavs to contend for a title by simply tweaking their roster and making smaller moves, or do they need to find a way to acquire another impact player? Should they be worried at all about Doncic’s eventual flight risk at this point, or are they in a strong position to prove to him that they can be a perennial contender?
Head to the comment section below to let us know your thoughts!
Maybe the most likely guy on the block in the next 12 months is KAT—if Minnesota continues to flounder. Question is would just a bunch of picks and filler get it done? Or would it need to be a 3 team where the picks go elsewhere? Or would Dallas just get outbid?
If you could somehow get to a core of Luka, DFS, KAT, Dinwiddie, Kleiber, Bullock and Josh Green then I think that’s a paper contender at least—up there with the young cores in MEM and NOP.
I’m not sure I’d want to roll the die on either of the wings in Chicago—DeRozan bc of his age and LaVine bc of his knees (esp after Porzingis).
The Mavs will make a move at the trade deadline.
I don’t think that Josh Green has remotely scratched the surface of what he can (and hopefully will) be.
Additionally, the Mavs getting Jaden Hardy in the 2nd was absolute larceny. He’s going to be f’ing good.
If those two become what the Mavs hope for, they have three young core players.
In the past, Donnie was doing bong rips during the draft and trade deadline. The Mavs now have a grown-up in the room with Nico.
Mavs have pieces to move, but I expect a majority of what they want to do will happen in the off-season. I bet the FO is working overtime to figure out a way to liquidate some assets, and formulate a plan going into next season that includes acquiring shooting, and defense.
Myles Turner ….
Elite rim protection, can space the floor, he’s from Dallas Texas, currently on a rebuilding team and a expiring contract. Should fit well with Luka as he will continue to space the floor and is a very good shot blocker.
My guess on making a deal
Myles Turner for Davis Bertans, Josh Green, a first round pick and a second round pick.
Then after that they could do with another ball handler and some more defence
Pat Beverly….
Lakers have apparently open talks about moving him. For Dallas he can play with guard spot and start or come of the bench, has a record of playing winning basketball, is a leader and known for his defence.
The deal
Dallas: Pat Beverly
LA: Doug McDermott and JaVale McGee
SA: Dwight Powell, Kendrick Nunn and a lakers first protected
Dallas lines up
Dinwiddie Luka Hardaway DFS Turner
Beverly Hardy Bullock Kleber Wood
That’s the perfect situation for Dallas.
Lose Bertans, Green, McGee, Powell, a first and a second for Turner and Beverly. Two key players that’ll get minutes and make a difference. Both great defenders and both some hate shooters.
No way Lakers waste the 24 cap on Doug and a bench C …and give a 1st? Even if Beverly is god awful
Going to take a first just to unload Bertans himself
Mavs give away a first to unload Bertans in the first deal. Also give away Green.
As for the second deal, Lakers give up Bev and Nunn who trash guards on this years form for Doug McBuckets who’s an elite floor spacer and JaVale McGee who’s won a ring with AD and Bron before.
Yes it cost them a protected first but your getting two better players