Nico Harrison finally has chance to flip script on inexcusable Mavericks blunder

It's no secret that the slew of trades Nico Harrison made during this past season's trade deadline set the Mavericks back in their hunt for a championship and also for the future. While trading away Luka Doncic was a heart-throbbing notification that no Dallas fan thought they would ever see, Harrison hit fans with a double whammy after trading Quentin Grimes, who was emerging as a legitimate future building block in the Mavericks' hunt for a championship.

Grimes no doubt earned the love and respect of fans throughout his time as a Maverick for his hard-nosed style of play, but after being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Caleb Martin, his game reached another level. In return for Grimes, the Mavericks received Martin, who was not only battling a severe hip injury at the time of the trade but would continue to struggle, looking like a shell of himself throughout his 14 games in Dallas last season.

Martin didn't only look hesitant with the ball in his hands, but from his opening few minutes during his debut, it was already clear to see that Martin was not healthy. Throughout the remainder of the regular season, Martin would gradually get better, especially on defense, but in order to save Harrison's job and not make the Grimes trade look completely one-sided, Martin must reclaim some value on the trade market or at least prove that he can be a key difference-maker for Dallas.

Caleb Martin's bounce-back is pivotal for Dallas

Heading into a critical year for Martin and his career, he must not only reclaim value for himself on the trade market, but he must also maintain staying healthy over the course of the regular season. At one point, Martin was known as an elite 3-and-D wing who had the ability to guard the opposing team's best player, but for two seasons now, Martin has been plagued by nagging injuries that have derailed his career.

While it's easier said than done, Martin still has a great opportunity to reclaim some value this coming season and be a key reason that the Mavs win games, but it may be the last chance the 29-year-old has before his career could turn south. Martin isn't just reaching his 30s on declining production over the last few years, but he is in danger of being dumped by the Mavericks entirely if he fails to make an impact next season.

When the Mavericks traded Grimes for Martin, Harrison had the intent to bring a high-level defender with the ability to space the floor to Dallas on a lower contract than Grimes would have been extended for. One of the main reasons the Mavericks even shopped Grimes around at the deadline was the looming trade extension talks that would take over headlines this summer for the Mavs.

Although Grimes will get paid a pretty penny in Philadelphia, there's no denying that the Grimes-for-Martin swap has ended completely sideways for the Mavs, even if Grimes doesn't stay in Philly. The Mavericks aren't only stuck on Martin's contract, but if he fails to make an impact early next season, it will be increasingly hard to shed Martin's contract if that is Harrison's intent.

An easy way the Mavericks can retain value with Martin is if he continues to get better on the offensive end next season and doesn't look like he is shying away from having the ball in his hands. Too often last season, Martin would pass up open threes in favor of a worse shot, which virtually made him a cone on the offensive end.

Martin's nagging injury may have had a lot to say in his decision-making on the offensive end, but he can't afford to look like a shell of himself next season, especially considering Jason Kidd's track record when it comes to rotational spots. Kidd has had a history of only expanding his rotation to nine players who play real minutes, and as it currently stands, Martin would be one of the odd men out if he continues to struggle.

It may not be what fans want to hear, but a lot of next season's success could hinge on the availability of Martin. Assuming Martin bounces back and regains value, the Mavericks could be in for a very special season.