4 Dallas Mavericks who have exceeded expectations, 4 who have fallen short

4. Fallen short: Richaun Holmes

One player who has had the opposite success of Grant Williams is Richaun Holmes. The former Sacramento Kings center has struggled to make ends meet in Dallas.

The Mavericks traded for Holmes during the 2023 NBA Draft when they sent a traded player exception for the center and the 24th selection of Olivier-Maxence Prosper.

The problem is Holmes has struggled to find his identity in Dallas. In 21 games this season, he has only played in 11 of them.

Currently, he is averaging 2.8 points per game and 3.5 rebound in 10 minutes of action.

On the depth chart, he is listed as the number two option at center; however, he struggles to find minutes behind Dereck Lively II and Dwight Powell as of late.

Another concern might also be that he has yet to establish solid chemistry with his teammates in the pick and roll. Lively II has done an excellent job starting center for Dallas. He and Luka Doncic do well as a one-two punch in the pick and roll. Holmes has never been known as a lethal lob threat, but him playing above Powell or Lively II seems doubtful right now depending on the matchup.

The same can be said for Powell, as he and Doncic already have an established connection from years of work.

Even so, Holmes has shown what he is capable when his minutes increase. Against the Memphis Grizzlies last week he played in 18 minutes and had five points and seven rebounds.

Could Holmes see his minutes increase over the next couple of months? Mavs fans will have to wait and see.