3 Dallas Mavericks needs ahead of the 2023 trade deadline

Dallas Maverick need before the 2023 trade deadline: 2. 3-and-D wing

The Mavs reached the conference finals last season on the back of their defense. They held the Utah Jazz to 100 or fewer points in four of the six games in the first round of the playoffs after finishing seventh in defensive rating during the regular season. Dallas then limited the Suns to their three lowest-scoring games of the season in the second round to reach the final four.

Head coach Jason Kidd has preached defense since getting hired, and the Mavs made an impressive turnaround last season, but they are struggling in year two. Dallas currently ranks 22nd in defensive rating, which is a far cry from last season’s mark.

Injuries have played a role. Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Josh Green are three of the team’s best defenders, and they have all been out since mid-December. Every team in the league’s defense would slip without three of its best options.

More troubling has been the defensive struggles of Reggie Bullock. Head coach Jason Kidd barely took him off the floor in the playoffs because of his defense. Bullock formed a strong perimeter duo with Dorian Finney-Smith that was shutting down the best the West had to offer. This season, Bullock has struggled to find that form, and it has resulted in him moving to the bench. The 6'6 wing is not bringing it on either end of the floor, and the Mavs need more if he is going to stay in the postseason rotation.

The Dallas Mavericks need another 3-and-D wing before the trade deadline. Someone that can guard on the perimeter and knock down open shots. When Doe-Doe and Green return, the Mavs will improve, but they need another option if they want to be able to play like a top-ten defense down the stretch and into the playoffs.