Dallas Mavericks need a ball-handler in the worst way: Why haven’t they added one?

Will the Dallas Mavericks acquire another ball-handler before the start of the season?

The Mavs have at least one more move to make this summer. They only have 14 players under contract after officially signing JaVale McGee, but they are waiting to fill it. Kevin Durant’s trade request just moments before free agency kicked off stalled the market a bit. There was a flurry of moves in the opening days, but things have been quiet since. Teams are waiting to see what the Nets do before finalizing their rosters for training camp.

The Nets are the team most under the microscope. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are both likely to be shipped out of Brooklyn, and they may need to move Ben Simmons to maximize their return for KD. That is three All-Stars finding new homes before the season begins.

The Jazz traded Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolves, and Donovan Mitchell could be the next player out the door. Utah is in no rush, but they appear headed towards a rebuild. Veteran point guard Patrick Beverley was acquired in the Gobert deal, and he will likely find a new home before next season starts.

There will be point guards available via trade, but will the Mavericks pay the necessary draft capital to acquire someone? It appears they are prioritizing their draft picks in hopes of trading for a star player over the next two years. That same hope is why Brunson is a Knick, and the Mavs free-agent track record is abysmal. Dallas must pay the freight for a ball-handler before the 2022-2023 season tips off.

Will the Dallas Mavericks? Stay tuned to find out.