Why mismanagement will sink the Dallas Mavericks again this offseason

The Dallas Mavericks just finished one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. Luka Doncic led them to the conference finals in 2022, and the Mavs were hoping to build on that surprise run, despite losing Jalen Brunson in free agency. Instead, Dallas suffered a late-season collapse that forced them to miss the playoffs entirely.

The problems with this year’s roster started with Brunson’s departure, but they go back further than that. Dallas botched the whole situation from structuring his contract incorrectly to refusing to sign him to an extension, and it continued a trend of years of mismanagement. The Mavericks changed front offices, but it resulted in the same outcome.

The franchise now faces arguably the most important offseason in franchise history. They must improve their roster or their fears of a Luka Doncic trade request could become reality quickly. Dallas has to get it right, but they rarely do.

Dallas Mavericks have a long history of mismanagement

Vincent Goodwill did a fantastic job of detailing the team’s history of failing to build around their superstar. Think about it. Yes, the Mavericks won a championship in 2011, but there was always talk of cap space and adding another star next to Dirk Nowitzki. It never happened. The Mavs always settled for their second or third target in free agency.

They have taken a different avenue when trying to build around Luka Doncic. The Mavs traded for Kristaps Porzingis to be their second star, but that did not work. Dallas had to take on two negative contracts to dump KP, and Luka Doncic carried a subpar roster to the conference finals. Think about it. Did anyone expect Dallas to be there? The talk was they did not have enough talent to defeat the Suns.

The Dallas Mavericks traded for another co-star in Kyrie Irving, and that was gone south so far. Now, Irving is a free agent, and he may have already played his last game in Dallas.

The Dallas Mavericks have endured front-office drama from a player running the team to a shadow GM (subscription required) to workplace culture issues. With owner Mark Cuban still calling the shots why would things change now? The 2022 offseason was certainly a disaster for the current regime.

Dallas Mavericks failed to build around Luka Doncic last offseason

The Mavs had a long list of problems this year from their roster build to the Christian Wood saga to letting the roster stagnate. The biggest may have been losing their second-best player with zero return alongside failing to address the issues from the 2022 playoffs.

Dallas tried to add a new starting center, but JaVale McGee last just five games in the rotation before he was benched. That forced head coach Jason Kidd to turn back to Dwight Powell. The rebounding and rim protection issues returned, and Dallas failed to address them before the trade deadline.

The Mavs also went away from what propelled them to the conference finals. They took off after trading Kristaps Porzingis for Spencer Dinwiddie. The surprising blockbuster gave Dallas three capable ball-handlers and playmakers to run their offense. Teams could not just sell out to stop Luka, but the Mavericks failed to add a replacement playmaker after Brunson’s departure for New York.

After they struggled to begin the year, the Dallas Mavericks made a panic trade to get Luka Doncic a co-star, but that created a whole new set of issues that the front office failed to address.

Dallas Mavericks pulled off a blockbuster trade but failed to fix the remaining holes

Fans were cautioned about a week before the blockbuster trade that acquiring a star alone would not fix the team’s issues. They had too many holes and not enough assets to plug them all.

The Mavericks traded Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and three draft picks for Kyrie Irving. It left Dallas with just two playmakers, made their defense even worse, and further depleted the team’s assets. The team’s defense had already gone from strength to question mark, but it was significantly worse after giving up their best perimeter stopper for the undersized Kyrie.

Size became a new issue after the trade along with their lack of perimeter defense. Dallas had an elite offense, but they could not get a stop. No NBA team can win consistently giving up 120 points every night because the margin for error is just too small.

The Mavericks needed wing defense, rebounding, and rim protection after the blockbuster trade, and they did nothing. Dallas explored the market, but they could not find a deal that worked. They could not afford to overpay, but it was still disappointing.

Assuming the Dallas Mavericks can re-sign Kyrie Irving, they have two pillars to build around, but can they find the right pieces that put them back into contention next season? It seems unlikely with the resources that they will have to work with this summer.

Dallas Mavericks do not have enough assets to fix their roster

The Mavs need to add at least one 3-and-D wing and a starting center. Deciding on what type of center fits best next to Luka Doncic is on the front office. They had success playing small in the 2022 playoffs, but Brunson is a better defender than Kyrie, Reggie Bullock cannot recreate his form, and Dallas is unlikely to add a perimeter defender as strong as Dorian Finney-Smith. Do they need a more traditional big man?

Acquiring two starters won’t come cheap. 3-and-D wings are the second-most sought-after commodity behind star players. Acquiring a difference-maker will take at least two first-round picks, and Dallas only has two to trade. They could get lucky in the draft lottery on May 16 and have a top ten selection to deal that may be enough to acquire one.

The Mavs have zero second-round picks to trade and limited firsts available this summer. Their other draft picks have been sunk into other moves. Dallas does not have an abundance of assets on their roster. Josh Green and Jaden Hardy have upside, but they are likely more valuable to the Mavericks than other teams until they truly break out.

Acquiring difference-makers with limited assets is next to impossible in the NBA, which could lead to utter disaster in Dallas.

Dallas Mavericks are desperate which could lead to disaster

The Mavs traded their 2029 first-round pick to the Nets to acquire Kyrie Irving. The protections on the final pick from the original Kristaps Porzingis trade do not allow Dallas to trade their 2024, 2025, or 2026 firsts. If Dallas gives the pick to New York in the lottery, those selections will become available. The Stepien Rule also prevents NBA teams from trading their first-round pick in consecutive years.

The Mavericks have a limited number of first-round picks already, and they cannot afford to waste what is left. Dallas is desperate to improve their roster, which gives the advantage to the opposition in negotiations. How did Danny Ainge extract so much for Rudy Gobert? He waited for someone desperate to inquire about the three-time All-Star. Other GMs will do the same to Dallas.

The Mavs have to nail their moves this summer. They cannot afford to let Kyrie Irving walk in free agency or miss on a signing or make a bad trade. Dallas has already made too many of those mistakes, and the future of Luka Doncic is on the line.

Can another franchise take advantage of the Mavericks' current desperation? If so, it could lead to their doomsday scenario in Dallas.

What moves will the Dallas Mavericks make this summer? Can they get back into contention next season? Luka Doncic will be eager to prove his doubters wrong, but will there be enough talent around him? Stay tuned to find out.