Dallas Mavericks' bold new focus is slowly building a powerhouse

It's no secret that the Dallas Mavericks had one of the best offseasons in franchise history after making multiple splashes in the free agency department.

Most notably, the Mavericks acquired one of the greatest shooters in the history of the NBA by signing Klay Thompson to a three-year $50 million contract.

While Thompson was arguably the biggest name on the free agency list for many fans, the Mavericks also acquired young talent with the signing of Naji Marshall and trade to get guard Quintin Grimes. Both of these moves will add depth to positions of need and youth in a locker room that is rich in young stars.

Mavericks' focus on getting younger is turning them into a powerhouse

Since Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison took over in the summer of 2021, Dallas has been on a mission to acquire young talent. While drafting is typically the traditional route teams take to score on promising talent, the Mavericks have had to take multiple routes to be in the spot they are in today.

One method Harrison and the front office have used is to acquire young talent by trading into the draft or by using their many assets to get names at the trade deadline. P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford are some notable names Dallas has gotten to add to the pool of young players in Dallas.

While teams traditionally look for veteran talent to get better, Dallas has done the complete opposite and it's worked out miraculously for them after a Finals appearance. Despite not winning the championship, Dallas seems to have made it a goal this offseason to get better and younger and the team has done exactly that.

One of Harrison's first moves as general manager of the Mavericks was to trade into the draft for Jaden Hardy. While Hardy hasn't been the biggest rotational piece in his two seasons as a Mav, he did crack the rotation in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hardy not only lit up the scoreboard but he proved he could be a potential role player off the bench in the regular season.

Now that the Mavericks have punched their ticket as a team that can contend for a championship, the Hardy move is looking like a genius plan by Harrison and the front office. Like so many other moves Harrison has made as general manager, the team's future continues to get brighter with the draft moves and trades for younger players, this only extends Dallas' championship window.

This next season, Dallas will not only look to develop their young talent, but they will also look to compete for their first Larry O'Brien Trophy in over a decade. For more updates on Dallas Mavericks basketball, stay plugged in.