5 things Mavericks must do to become title contenders after Kyrie Irving trade

What Dallas Mavericks must do to become title contenders: 2. Maximize Luka and Kyrie

The Mavs are Luka Doncic’s team. Head coach Jason Kidd made that clear immediately after the trade, but they still need to maximize both of their superstar talents. Dallas is going to run five out with a ton of pick and rolls because that is where number 77 thrives, but there will be new wrinkles too.

Fans have seen over their first three games together that the pace is going to pick up with Irving. The Mavericks are going to move off the ball a bit more and get some easy buckets in transition. They will let Kyrie operate from the right side of the floor, and find ways to maximize his production and effectiveness.

Luka dominates the first and third quarters. He has traditionally played all 12 minutes in both periods and is among the leading scorers in those stretches. Irving is the best fourth-quarter scorer this season, and he can take over the game as Doncic rests to open the final stanza. Coach Kidd should lean into those numbers as he looks to keep both players happy and maximize their production.

The Dallas Mavericks will unlock another element when they start using Luka and Kyrie screening for each other more. They have only played three games together since the trade, and finding a way to maximize both players is crucial if Dallas wants to contend for the title this season.