The Dallas Mavericks are skilled, feisty, and proud. Just because their offense won’t be running through Luka Doncic anymore doesn’t mean they’re going to roll over and give up. In fact, the changes that they’ve made under Mavs general manager Nico Harrison have prepared them for this very day.
Prior to Doncic’s trade, Dallas was 14-16 without Doncic in 2024-25. They’ve gone 3-1 since then, their only defeat being a one-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime. For comparison, the Mavericks were just 31-44 without Doncic prior to this season.
Mavs Address Center Woes, Sign Moses Brown
The Mavs do have depth concerns, as multiple big men are now sidelined by injury.
In fact, starters Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford are expected to be out for weeks as they recover from their respective injuries. Dereck Lively II will be out for the rest of the season due to a foot fracture, In the long run, Davis, Gafford and Lively should be fine. However, in the interim, Dallas needs to slap a band-aid onto their open wound.
They’re doing just that, signing center Moses Brown to a 10-day contract, per ESPN senior insider Shams Charania.
The Dallas Mavericks plan to sign 7-foot-2 center Moses Brown to a 10-day contract, agent Ryan Davis of LIFT Sports Management told ESPN. Mavs bring in a big man with Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II expected to be out extended time. pic.twitter.com/IsHDxQubV7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 19, 2025
Brown, listed at 7-foot-2 and 245 pounds, has played 159 career games since going undrafted in 2019. Now 25 years old, he’s averaging 5.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks in 11.6 minutes per game in his NBA career. In Dallas, his size will be particularly useful.
A Big Band-Aid
The Mavericks have gone small since Davis and Gafford’s injuries, relying more on Kessler Edwards and Olivier Maxence-Prosper.
Both Edwards and Prosper are lithe and active athletes, which does afford them certain advantages. It doesn’t hurt that neither player is scared to shoot from beyond the arc either, as it’s a wrinkle defenses have to pay attention to. Nevertheless, their slight frames can put them at a disadvantage when it comes to rebounding or protecting the rim.
With that being said, Brown isn’t the most productive shot-blocker. Yet, he does have the type of size that’ll cause would-be scorers to hesitate. Furthermore, he’s a handful on the glass (and he knows it). So, while he’s not the most fluid or agile big man, he fits the Mavericks’ needs.
In the 10 days that Brown’s on the roster, he can help them absorb some of the shock of their losses. Given how long Davis and Gafford are expected to be out, he’ll probably land a second 10-day contract. However, the length of his stay will be determined by not only his play but his new teammates’ health.
© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
