Mavericks veteran proves Jason Kidd can't trust him in Finals

After nearly a full week of waiting in anticipation for the 2024 NBA Finals to tip off, the Dallas Mavericks put up an absolute stinker in Boston. Knowing that the Mavericks needed to make a statement in front of a hostile Boston crowd, Dallas failed to bring the adequate energy needed for an NBA Finals game.

One of the few Mavericks to assert himself early into this long championship series was Luka Doncic. Doncic made difficult shot after difficult shot and without him, the Mavericks third quarter rally would have never sniffed single digits. Dallas will need more brilliance out of Doncic and other surrounding cast if they wish to make this a series on Sunday night in Game 2.

With multiple Maverick role players struggling to make a name for themselves early in this series, head coach Jason Kidd must find his rotation before the Celtics jump out to an early 2-0 series lead.

Tim Hardaway Jr. proves Jason Kidd can't trust him in Finals

After struggling for large portions of this playoff run, Tim Hardaway Jr. has once again proven why he can't be trusted on the biggest stage after putting up yet another head-scratching performance.

Many fans expected Hardaway Jr. to come alive during the Mavericks' playoff run, but have been disappointed to witness him have one of his longest career shooting droughts. To no surprise, Hardaway Jr. in Game 1 had yet another questionable performance after only playing eight minutes in his Finals debut and failing to score a single bucket.

Hardaway Jr.'s struggles to close the regular season and during this playoff run should be an indicator that he may not be a Maverick for the long run. It wouldn't be a shock if Hardaway Jr. is on the trade block this summer, and this won't be the first time Hardaway Jr.'s name has been brought up in potential offseason moves. For what feels like the last few years, Hardaway Jr. has been on the Mavericks hot seat in terms of assets to eventually be dealt. His playoff droughts could be the straw that broke the camel's back.

It's way too early to speculate that Hardaway Jr. could be shipped out during Dallas' offseason, but it's a safe bet considering that Jaden Hardy has passed him up in rotational minutes. After Hardy secured a huge role on the Mavericks during the Western Conference Finals, that all but ensured Hardaway Jr. would not be seeing rotational minutes as a Maverick for the remainder of this season.

As mentioned before, it's too early to wonder whether Hardaway Jr. will be in Dallas by the start of next season, but after struggling during the most important time of the season, it's safe to ask where Hardaway Jr. will end up this summer.

For more updates on Tim Hardaway Jr., Luka Doncic, and Dallas Mavericks basketball, stay plugged in.