Mavericks' newly signed Kyrie Irving replacement is undeniable key to playoff glory

It's been nothing but hardships and heartbreak for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2024-25 season. Distractions have been an understatement this season, from the Mavs fanbase calling for the removal of GM Nico Harrison, to the organization holding a private media press conference with Harrison and CEO Rick Welts.

Things got even spicier when Harrison seemed to turn his back on the fanbase to ignore the general consensus of the disapproval of trading Luka Doncic. Harrison, quietly taking a shot at Dirk Nowitzki and the fan base, was laughable to everything the Mavs have worked nearly 30 years to build, and that's loyalty.

During the win-or-go-home Play-In Tournament game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, distractions didn't exist. The Mavs went on a second-quarter tear and never looked back, and they were able to take down the Kings with a score of 120-106. Now, thanks to one young guard showing out recently, he seems to be the answer to the Kyrie Irving problem moving forward, as he is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Brandon Williams has quietly become the Mavs' X-factor to make playoffs

Since Jaden Hardy has been a nonexistent factor on the court for most of the second half of the season, Brandon Williams has been the clear answer to provide stronger guard depth for Dallas. Hardy's tenure with Dallas might've been a wrap following his season finale performance against the Memphis Grizzlies, and Williams is ready to continue to grow even more on the Mavericks.

Dallas converted Williams' two-way deal to a standard contract last week, and he continues to show why he deserved that deal and more. His game being compared to Irving's at the end of last week is looking more and more true by the way he plays, and while he isn't the same superstar that Irving is, he is looking like someone who can replicate some of his key skills and be an X-factor for the Mavs to escape the play-in and reach the NBA Playoffs for the second year in a row.

Since Doncic was traded, there was a desperate search as to who could be the next go-getter guard to put the ball on the deck and get to the rim. Williams has been outstanding this season, averaging 8.3 points a game, a vast improvement from averaging just 3.2 points a game in just 17 games played last season. He's played in twice as many games this season compared to last. Williams also had an impressive stint with the Portland Trail Blazers prior to his tenure in Dallas, but he only played in 24 games for them.

Williams scored 17 points off the bench while providing excellent minutes for the rest of his teammates. The only thing that Williams is lacking is a strong pick-and-roll relationship with Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II, but as an individual, he looks calm and collected when setting up his jumper and knifing to the rim.

The only concern would be thinking of Williams as a full-time starter for a while. He's only started three games during the regular season, and he's only been comfortable coming off the bench to be a dependable energy guy. Some guys just thrive better coming off the bench sometimes when it's necessary. However, with Jason Kidd inserting a tall starting five as of late, it's still very possible we see Williams coming off the bench as he should.

Nonetheless, with Hardy's tenure looking like it's coming to an end, and with Irving to be sidelined until January, the only thing that makes sense for Williams to be the main man at point guard moving forward.