The Dallas Mavericks Needs Headed Into the 2023 Offseason
Chaos In Dallas
After making the Western Conference Finals in 2022, the Dallas Mavericks seemed like a lock for NBA playoff odds in the 2022-23 season. Instead, they missed the playoffs, ending with the team almost undeniably trying to lose games, which then broke NBA news when the league fined them for “tanking.”
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/t92m7uPKR1
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 14, 2023
The Mavericks knew that the roster was not up to par with the rest of the West, so they traded for Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline, which ended up backfiring. The team’s defense plummeted, making them consistent with NBA picks to hit the over but not to win.
Everything was chaotic, including head coach Jason Kidd and owner Mark Cuban having unconventional press conferences. That all led to the rumors of star player Luka Dončić potentially wanting to be traded if this offseason turns into a failure. He wants to be part of a team with legit NBA Finals odds, and right now, that is not the Mavericks.
That makes things simple for NBA predictions because the front office will do whatever they can to improve immediately. The main priority is a successful offseason leading to a playoff run in 2023-24.
2022-23 Season Record: 38-44
Status of Coach: Jason Kidd. He will coach next season but should be on the hot seat.
Positions Of Need For the Mavericks
- All-Star Player
- 3-and-D Players
- Pick and Pop Big
- Wing Depth
Possible Free Agency Plan
This 2023 offseason could lead to an entirely new team in Dallas. Not many roster spots are taken for 2023-24, leaving a lot of holes that must be filled. On the bright side, that does open up a decent amount of cap space and flexibility to build this new team.
The Mavericks’ front office has expressed an interest in bringing back Irving and Christian Wood, which would eat into that cap space. However, the trade for Irving did not work, starting the team’s collapse. On top of that, Wood struggled to find consistent playing time, mostly coming off the bench due to being a defensive liability and Kidd’s poor coaching.
Bringing back both players seems like a run-it-back mentality. Hoping it works with more time and maybe a few better players on the edges of the roster. The chances of that happening are low, based on what we just saw in the last few months.
A plan that could boost the Mavericks NBA title odds, is to try to build a completely different team. First, let’s start with an All-Star caliber that is better off the ball than Irving but can also do enough when Dončić is on the bench. The best name for that is Fred VanVleet, who can do much of Irving’s role while being a little less pricey and controversial.
Next, Jerami Grant is a perfect fit for the Mavericks. He is a defensive-minded player and just succeeded in Portland playing with another heavy usage guard. Grant would be an ideal fit but might be a big cap space hit, now being recognized as a fringe All-Star player. Finally, offer Brook Lopez a front-loaded high-value two-year deal. He is an elite interior defender and a floor spacer who can score in the paint. While these players would be easy fits, others with similar skills could also be good choices.
This plan might require the Mavericks to trade away their first overall pick, either for cap space reasons or in a sign and trade. However, it would make the Mavericks good again right away. Depending on how the draft lottery goes on May 16, Dallas could receive some role players in return for the pick.
First-Round Lottery Odds
- Odds For First Overall Pick – 3.0%
- Odds For A Top Four Pick – 13.9%
- This pick is Top-10 protected. If it falls out of the Top-10, it goes to the New York Knicks.
Possible Draft Plan
Lottery night is a crucial moment for the Mavericks. If they fall out of the top 10, they no longer have a draft pick, drastically changing everything. Then depending on where that pick ends up could decide what Dallas wants to do with it.
The Mavericks are not in a rebuilding phase, but they need talent right away to make another run in the West. Rookies sometimes come along slowly, which the team might not want to deal with in a playoff run. That could lead to this pick being traded to add more depth.
Furthermore, if the Mavericks decide not to trade, they must select a player that will fit their style of play in the future, leaving fewer options. Near the top of the draft, outside of the likely No.1 overall pick VictorWembanyama, few players fit that mold. Taylor Hendricks might be the next best choice. He is a long, versatile defender that is a spot-up shooter, literally what Dallas needs. But there is always a risk with rookies, so trading the pick for a player proven in the NBA that can play that role might be the wiser decision.
