5 Moves Mavericks should make after re-signing Kyrie Irving

The Dallas Mavericks did not leave fans in suspense long as they quickly agreed to a new three-year deal worth $126 million with Kyrie Irving. It was not a surprise move. Bringing back the eight-time All-Star was the team’s top priority after giving up two starters, one first-round draft pick, and two second-rounders to acquire him in February.

Things did not go as planned after trading for Irving. Dallas nosedived down the stretch and missed the postseason entirely. It had fans questioning the partnership between Luka Doncic and Kyrie, but the two superstars need more talent around them if they want to get back to the playoffs in 2024.

The Mavericks had an outstanding draft night, got an important deal done with Kyrie, and brought Seth Curry back to Dallas on a cheap contract on the opening night of free agency. It was a fantastic start, but Dallas cannot be done here. What is left on the to-do list for owner Mark Cuban and the Mavs’ front office?

Moves Dallas Mavericks should make after re-signing Kyrie Irving

5. Add size

The Mavs struggled after trading for Kyrie Irving in part because of their lack of size. Dwight Powell is 6’10, but Luka Doncic was often the second-biggest starter. They closed down the stretch with Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Reggie Bullock flanking those two. That is three players at 6’6 or under. The Mavericks desperately need a 6’8 forward and a new starting center to round out their group.

A starting backcourt of Luka and Kyrie has defensive challenges, and the Mavericks have to address those issues. Seth Curry does not help. They have the $12.4 million mid-level exception to use after re-signing Kyrie. Dallas should be targeting a plus-defender, but they must find someone with size at a minimum.

Adding one piece is not enough. The Dallas Mavericks need to make multiple moves if they plan on returning to contention next season.

4. Trade JaVale McGee

The Mavs used their taxpayer mid-level exception to sign JaVale McGee last summer to a three-year deal worth $17.2 million. They planned for him to be their starting center and a key piece of their rotation. McGee lasted six games as a starter and was out of the rotation by mid-November.

Dallas is not counting on the 35-year-old next season, but he is still owed $11.7 million over the next two years, including a player option for 2024-25. The Mavericks tried to trade McGee at the deadline and this offseason, but they have been unable to find a deal.

They are still working the phones and trying to find trades. Dallas would like to deal away Tim Hardaway Jr. and McGee, but finding something workable is difficult. The Mavericks got close on a Deandre Ayton trade (subscription required), but things fell through based on the inclusion of McGee, per Marc Stein.

The Mavs cannot enter the season with five centers on their roster. They drafted Dereck Lively II and traded for Richaun Holmes already. The franchise would like to bring Dwight Powell back, but he is an unrestricted free agent. None of those players solves their biggest issue, so JaVale McGee must go to balance out the roster.

3. Sort of center position

Ahead of the draft, owner Mark Cuban made it clear that the team needed a rim-protecting big man. They traded back to select Dereck Lively II 12th overall and acquired Richaun Holmes, but is that enough?

The Mavs want to be in title contention next season, which should factor into their decision-making. Do they want to count on a 19-year-old that averaged just 20.6 minutes per game in college to be their starting center? Lively II should be in the rotation to continue his development, but Dallas cannot count on him to carry the mail as a teenage rookie.

Is Holmes the answer? The 29-year-old has shown flashes, but he was out of the rotation for the Kings last season and has played more than 57 games just twice in his eight-year NBA career. Holmes has played more than 24 minutes per game just two times and his defensive numbers have been subpar over the last three years. The Mavericks would be banking on getting the best out of him if they plan on making him the starting center.

The Dallas Mavericks are hoping to re-sign Dwight Powell, but they cannot rely on him to be their starting five again. The front office has to make another move to find a better answer. That likely means trading both Richaun Holmes and JaVale McGee, especially if the team plans on bringing back Powell but now is the time.

2. Fill out the rotation

The Dallas Mavericks have 11 players under contract after signing Kyrie Irving and their two first-round draft picks. They went with 14 to start last season to save some luxury tax dollars and keep a space open for the buyout market. If they decide to do that again, the Mavs still need to find three more players.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are locked in as starters. Reggie Bullock, Maxi Kleber, Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, and Curry should all be members of the rotation. That is only eight players. The Mavericks would love to give some minutes to their rookies, but contending and playing young players do not mix. Dallas must add two rotation-ready players to complete their roster.

They have the $12.4 million mid-level exception, which can be split into multiple players. That should net them at least one piece. If the Mavericks use it all on a single option, they would need to sign one minimum player that can play nightly minutes.

The Dallas Mavericks need a starting center and a 3-and-D wing. They will likely use the mid-level exception on one of those options and dangle their 2027 first-round draft pick for the other.

1. Add a 3-and-D wing

The Dallas Mavericks guaranteed Reggie Bullock’s contract for next season, but they desperately need another 3-and-D wing option. They must have someone that can defend at the point of attack and stop dribble penetration. Teams are going to target both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the defensive end of the floor, so the Mavericks need an elite option that can carry their perimeter defense.

The two superstars will handle nearly all of the ball-handling and playmaking duties for Dallas. They need players that can space the floor and knock down open shots around them. Finding someone comfortable spotting up and playing stout defense should be a priority for the front office.

3-and-D wings are always hard to find as every team wants multiple options. The Mavericks have the mid-level exception to use in free agency and a first-round draft pick to dangle in trades. They could make another trade with the Brooklyn Nets, who currently have a glut of wings.

The Mavs still have work to do, but Kyrie Irving is officially back. They limited his deal to three years and avoided giving him a max contract. It was a positive first step, but what is next? Stay tuned to find out.