The Dallas Mavericks are experiencing turmoil after a slow start, resulting in the dismissal of general manager Nico Harrison yesterday. It would seem that Harrison may be just the first domino to fall, as there doesn’t appear to be an easy fix for the Mavs.
Dallas enters tonight’s contest against the Phoenix Suns with a 3-8 record and sits near the bottom of the Western Conference. The Mavericks, tied for 12th in the conference, are coming off a narrow 116-114 loss to Milwaukee on Monday as Cooper Flagg turned in his best performance of the season with 26 points, on 9 of 15 shooting, and nine rebounds.
Ranking The Mavs’ Most Valuable Trade Chips
While Dallas was close to pulling off a victory over Milwaukee, the game was a microcosm of a flawed team. The Mavericks, who led by nine at the start of the fourth quarter, were outshot 45.1%-to-41.6% from the field. They were also outscored from the 3-point line (42-29). On the positive side of things, the Mavs outrebounded the Bucks 52-43, including 16-8 on the offensive end, and outscored them 31-20 at the free throw line.
Despite being a close game, 12 Mavericks players saw at least four minutes of court time compared to the Bucks, who had just four players see more than three minutes of action. More significantly, Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington were limited to 23 and 22 minutes, respectively, due to foul trouble. As a result, the Mavs’ bench logged 96 minutes and were outscored 43-33.
Dallas’ 3-8 record ties the 2016-17 squad for the second-worst start in franchise history since the 2000 -01 season, only behind the 2017-18 team that began the season 2-9. Granted, the Mavericks have not had a full squad this year and have lost 42 man-games to injuries already. Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum still haven’t played this year. Anthony Davis, who has only appeared in 14 games with the Mavericks, has seen action in five contests, while Gafford has sat out five contests, and Dereck Lively II has missed the last eight.
Maverick’s Plethora Of Problems
Besides Dallas’ injuries, the Mavericks have been great defensively this year, though they have had significant issues on the offensive end. The Mavericks are averaging a league-low 107.2 points and rank last in offensive rating (104.7), despite playing at the sixth-fastest pace in the league. The Mavs are 26th in shooting percentage at 44.3% from the field.
Dallas has lost five of its last six games. The Mavericks have been outscored 112-106.7 during this six-game stretch. But there is good news as Davis and Likely could return tonight against the Suns. Lively II (Right Knee Sprain) and Anthony Davis (Left Calf Strain) are questionable, while Flagg (Right Thumb Sprain) is listed as available on the injury report.
While Davis and Lively’s return will certainly help offensively, particularly around the rim, where they are the ninth-worst finishing team in the league, shooting 62.2% within five feet, the duo can’t fix the Mavericks’ glaring offensive issues, which are three-point shooting and ball-handling. The Mavs average just 9.5 three-pointers per contest and shoot them at a 29.5% clip from deep — both are league lows. They are also a poor offensive rebounding team, and their ball handling is below average, ranking 25th in the assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.49-to-1.
Anthony Davis To Miss Another Game
Davis will not play tonight against Phoenix and could be out longer, per MacMahon, a few hours ago.
“Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont has requested medical data indicating that Anthony Davis is not at risk of aggravating his left calf strain before giving a green light for the 10-time All-Star big man to return, MacMahon tweeted. “Will miss seventh straight game tonight.”
Moreover, the Mavericks’ backcourt ranks in the bottom third of the league in efficiency. The Mavs’ backcourt is 27th in field goal percentage (39.5%) and dead last in 3-point percentage (29.6%). They also rank in the bottom third of the league in assists (12.7) and turnovers (7.6).
Mavs Salary Cap Situation
Exum, recovering from an offseason knee surgery, was slated to be re-evaluated on Monday. There is no word about whether that was done or a timetable for his return. Exum is considered to be week-to-week until he returns to practice. Meanwhile, Irving is not slated to be available until after the New Year, though there is no concrete timetable.
Until Exum returns, Flagg, D’Angelo Russell, and Brandon Williams project to continue handling point guard duties. Flagg has struggled this year, not only with shooting the ball, but also overall, as he is averaging 3.1 assists and 2.2 turnovers per game. The Mavs have been outscored by nearly 10 points with Flagg on the court.
Russell, who hasn’t shot the ball well, hasn’t been horrible, but he is far from the level he was at in 2023-24. Plus, he is a liability defensively. Williams has been playing the best of the trio, though he is not a full-time starter.
“There’s no point guard. You don’t have a floor leader,” an Eastern Conference scout told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “That’s the first problem. Then you’re trying to make a guy who isn’t a point guard (Cooper Flagg) a point guard. The coach doesn’t trust the guy you signed this summer (D’Angelo Russell). That’s obvious. They don’t trust him enough to make him the floor leader, and that’s in line with the consensus around the league. They don’t have shooting, and they don’t have creation. Those are things you need to be a good offensive team.”
Mavs Slated To Build Around Cooper Flagg
Make no mistake that the Mavs are Flagg’s team, and co-general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi will be focused on building around. However, the pair has a lot to navigate.
Dallas is a first-round team, which theoretically limits their options. But the Mavericks will likely be looking to cut salary, not add. More problematic for the Mavs is that they also project to be a first-round team next year with just 12 players under contract. The Mavs are also slated to be just $8.4 million from the second apron. They do own their own first-round pick this year, but not a second-round selection.
So, who could the Mavericks trade and what could they get in return? The Mavs likely won’t be in any hurry to make a move as they will hope that Davis’ and Lively’s upcoming return will lead to more victories. Davis and Irving are obviously the Mavericks’ biggest trade chips. There is no indication that the Mavs are looking to move either one.
Even if the Mavs decide to move on from Davis or Irving, they could wait until the offseason they do so. It is more likely the Mavs will make other trades during the season to try to build for the future and get some salary relief. Also, teams could decide to see if Davis and Irving can stay relatively healthy.
1. Anthony Davis
Davis continues to struggle to stay healthy. He has only played in 14 games since being the centerpiece of the Luka Doncic trade for the Mavericks. The 32-year-old, who has two more seasons and $121 million left after this season, only appeared in 51 contests last season, marking the fifth time in the previous six years that he has played fewer than 60 contests.
Still, when healthy, Davis is one of the best bigs in the NBA. NBA Insider Mark Stein reported yesterday that Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, has established a strong relationship with Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont since February’s trade, and the pair are in regular contact. So, the Mavs may not totally be inclined to trade him.
Yet, as NBA Insider Zach Lowe stated on his YouTube show, teams will undoubtedly be calling to check out Davis’ availability. Lowe did add that he believes Davis will be dealt. Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Washington, Toronto, San Antonio, Brooklyn, Utah, Golden State, New York Knicks, and Sacramento are among the potential landing spots that come immediately to mind.
Projecting What Could The Mavs Look for In Return: The Mavs will likely look for multiple first-round picks and a youngster or two with high upside.
2. Kyrie Irving
Despite Jason Kidd’s proclamation before training camp that Irving might be able to return to the court earlier than expected, ESPN’s Tim McMahon refuted that claim earlier today on the Hoop Collective.
“Kyrie Irving is not on the verge of returning. He’s making great progress,” McMahon said. “He’s going to continue working to get healthy. Once Kyrie Irving gets healthy, there will be discussions, perhaps leading up to it, but there will be discussions.”
Irving may be a little more attractive than Davis and perhaps easier to trade, despite his recent ACL injury. Like Davis, Irving has struggled to stay on the court, failing to play in more than 60 games in six straight campaigns, and has two more seasons and nearly $82 million left on his deal after this year.
Orlando, Sacramento, Houston, Minnesota, Los Angeles Clippers, and Detroit all theoretically make sense as potential trade partners for Irving.
Projecting What Could The Mavs Look for In Return: The Mavs will likely look for multiple first-round picks and a youngster or two with high upside. However, the haul won’t be as high for Irving as it will be for Davis, and the first-round picks could be top-5 or top-10 protected.
3. PJ Washington
Washington has played well as he has assumed additional responsibilities with all the Mavericks’ injuries. Despite struggling with shooting from deep, Washington averages 15.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks. He drains 1.1 threes a game while shooting 45.5% from the field and 25.5% from the 3-point line. The 6-7 forward, who can play all three frontcourt positions, has also totaled two double-doubles. His four-year, $88.7 million extension, which he signed on September 25, goes into effect next season.
The Heat, Warriors, 76ers, Clippers, and Bucks could be interested in the 27-year-old, who is a versatile defender and a decent 3-point shooter (35.5% for his career).
Projecting the Mavs could get for Washington: Top-10 Protected first-round pick and rotational wing, or Multiple-second rounders and an expiring contract.
4. Daniel Gafford
Gafford is just 27 and is an elite shot blocker and rebounder, though he is limited offensively. As a result, the Mavericks are expected to get calls for him. He signed a three-year, $54 million extension this offseason, though his annual salary is the reason (between $17 and $19 million).
Gafford has struggled in the early going as he is still rounding into shape after sitting out the first five games. The athletic 6-10 big averages 8.5 points, on 61.8% shooting from the field, five rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 20 minutes.
Despite the Mavs being loaded in the frontcourt, Stein says that the Mavs have shown no interest in trading him. Expect that to change as the season wears on.
The Golden State Lakers, Heat, Bucks, and 76ers are the most likely teams to be interested in a solid starter who is also comfortable as a backup.
What Could The Mavs Get In Return: Lottery-protected first-round or multiple second-round picks. Perhaps a youngster who can handle the ball.
5. Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson, who has seen his production decline the past two seasons, is really struggling this season. The 35-year-old has really struggled this year, averaging just 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 20 minutes over 10 contests. He is making 1.6 threes a game with shooting splits of 31.4/26.7/100.
Still, NBA analyst and former NBA player Chandler Parsons, on FanDuel TV yesterday, believes Thompson will be the first Maverick to be moved this season. Thompson has a reasonable contract and one more season left after this year.
“Klay Thompson—out of there. Traded. I think he’ll be the first one to go—not that he’s the problem—but teams like the Orlando Magic need shooting,” Chandler said. “He makes sense for someone like that.”
In addition to the Magic, the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, and Clippers could use some additional shooting help. Milwaukee, Miami, and the 76ers also could be options.
Projecting what the Mavs could get in Return: Draft capital. The most likely offers will be for a highly protected first-round pick (top 20-25 protected), although a couple of second-round picks should also be expected.
6. D’Angel0 Russell
Russell doesn’t have much trade value as the 29-year-old has struggled this season. Russell signed a two-year, $11 million contract this summer with the Mavericks. He still can score and run a second unit. Next season is a player’s option.
Pacers, Bucks, Rockets, Blazers, Nuggets, Magic, 76ers, and Heat could be interested in the 29-year-old.
Projecting what the Mavs could get in Return: Second-round pick or cheap youngster who can defend on the perimeter. A bigger return could be expected if he is combined in a trade with Gafford or Washington.
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