The Dallas Mavericks had a great trade deadline. Acquiring Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington for a few first-round picks and the disgruntled Grant Williams already looked unbelievable. Gafford is the perfect center for Luka Doncic as an athletic center who can make pick-and-rolls and alley-oop catches. PJ Washington is just a direct upgrade from Grant Williams, offering a little bit of everything on the court with some great moments sprinkled in. If this team can adjust a bit more this season, a championship shot could be in the future. , especially with Kyrie Irving on the roster.
Improving from last season
Looking back at the Kyrie Irving trade, the assets the Dallas Mavericks traded looked like they ended up worse off. Dorian-Finney-Smith hasn't improved since being traded to Brooklyn and will turn 31 in a few months. Spencer Dinwiddie ranks in the bottom 10 in shooting percentage this season, but was acquired by the Nets and recently signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. This leaves them with two second-round picks and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick. In the end, it looks like the Dallas Mavericks' gamble to keep Kyrie during the offseason paid off, with them coming out on top.
Kyrie's team failed to make the playoffs or the playoffs last season. Going into the offseason, the Dallas Mavericks didn't make any major moves and it looked like they were going to have another mediocre or worse NBA season. But the team has improved from last season, with players like Dante Exum providing valuable playing time during Kyrie's injury that sidelined him for multiple games. However, the acquisition of Grant Williams did not go well.
Grant Williams was supposed to be a big move for the Dallas Mavericks during the offseason, but his regression hit the team hard. He would be removed from the rotation during the season, and there were reports that his constant “yelling” was having a negative effect on the team. The final nail in the coffin? Luka's transition from his signature shoes to Jayson Tatum's shoes shows he misses his time in Boston.
Luka Magic needs help
Luka's career usage rate of 35.5 is just insane. For comparison, Stephen Curry's career usage rate is 28.9, which is significantly lower than Luka. Without Luka, the Dallas Mavericks have no direction and no primary ball handler who can set up other players. Even with Kyrie Irving, without Luka's passing ability, the rest of the team has little to offer.
However, several players donated valuable time to help ease Luka's burden. Tim Hardaway Jr. has had multiple 30+ point games and has been a huge spark off the bench when needed. Alongside him, rookie Derek Lively II was the perfect pick-and-roll partner for Luka, creating an athletic finish at the rim. It goes without saying how great Kyrie Irving is.
However, this is not enough as the team remains within the 8th-9th seeding range. Hardaway Jr. was very inconsistent, scoring fewer than 10 points in many games. On top of that, Irving and Lively have been in and out of the lineup due to injuries. Also, most of the wins the Dallas Mavericks have been due to the ridiculous numbers Luka puts up to win. To pursue a championship, Luka doesn't need to take a weight off his shoulders. The trades for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have helped tremendously.
Dallas Mavericks trade deadline acquisition
PJ Washington has been rotten in Charlotte until now. Over the past five seasons, Washington has looked great for Charlotte at times. Indeed, he is a shining light in the Hornets' cave of darkness. He provided great defense with his 6'7 stature and exploded for over 30 points on numerous occasions. Since acquiring him, he has a +51 in Dallas despite his shooting splits being under par. This proves how valuable a player he is, even if he can't score the ball.
Daniel Gafford has always been a fine center, even though he spent time with the Washington Wizards. The 25-year-old is very athletic and an excellent rebounder, averaging 2.2 blocks per game. He is a great fit for the Dallas Mavericks as a defensive-minded, athletic center. Starting Dwight Powell when Lively was out was terrible. Gafford's addition to the team greatly eases Lively's burden by adding another center he can rely on. Alongside them, Maxi Kleber spreads the floor and provides valuable minutes at the center position.
find the perfect lineup
Jason Kidd's coaching has been as inconsistent as Tim Hardaway Jr.'s, especially after last season's team collapse. This directly affected the lineup, with players like Josh Green going from being a valuable starter to getting a DNP. Offensive play is also lacking. Most of the attacks revolve around Luka or Kyrie making something happen. If the Dallas Mavericks want to have a chance at winning it all, Kidd needs to step up as offensive coach.
The Dallas Mavericks are rated 19th in defense this season, but Kidd's defensive coaching has been excellent. At the beginning of the season, they had one of the best defenses in the league. After the All-Star break, the defense should be as good as it was at the start.
For the Dallas Mavericks to reach the Finals, they can't rely solely on Luka on offense. At times, a lack of offensive play with other players can force him into the ground. The acquisitions of Kyrie and PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford will hopefully create some plays that don't involve Luka as much. And with a small sample size of three games since the trade deadline, Luka's usage rate has dropped significantly.
All it takes is a few changes for the Mavericks to advance in the playoffs. And with players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, anything is possible.
