Did the Dallas Mavericks improve this offseason despite losing Jalen Brunson?

Dallas Mavericks fixed holes but remain a flawed team

The Mavs had to play small in the playoffs last season, which hurt them on the glass and protecting the rim. They were outrebounded 811 to 657 in their 18 postseason contests, and the Mavericks gave up too many easy looks at the rim. Adding Christian Wood and JaVale McGee should solve their rebounding woes, and they have more rim protection on the roster.

General manager Nico Harrison fixed holes in the roster, but the departure of Jalen Brunson created new ones. The Mavs do not have enough ball-handlers or playmakers right now. They still have an open roster, but the free agent market has all but dried up. Harrison and the front office will have to make a trade if they want to fix another flaw.

Dallas overused Maxi Kleber in the playoffs last season, so Wood should take some of his playing time and the minutes played by the departed Jalen Brunson are wide open.

Can Wood play the five on defense for the Mavericks in the postseason? Dallas reached the conference finals on the back of their defense last season, and Wood is not known for his chops on that end of the floor. The team’s postseason fate may rest in his hands unless upgrades are made before the trade deadline.