The Dallas Mavericks offseason moves indicate the organization is poised to make another NBA finals run. With the additions and departures that circulated the team, Dallas may be better positioned for the upcoming 2023-24 season than last year.
Dallas Mavericks Offseason: A Review To Date
Mavericks Offseason Got Better
The Dallas Mavericks offseason has involved a lot of player movement since their NBA finals loss to the Boston Celtics. With key role players leaving in free agency or via trade and a couple of key additions via free agency or trade, the Maverick’s roster for the upcoming season will look different.
The 2023-24 season was the Mavericks’ best and most impressive season in the Luka Doncic era, and the play of former champion Kyrie Irving was instrumental. Dereck Lively‘s potential was well displayed as a rookie, and the trade deadline deals that brought in P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford further catapulted the Mavericks’ season as they marched through the West and into the finals. However, despite the player movement, it’s fair to consider the potential that Dallas got better this offseason, not worse.
Key Player Departures
Derrick Jones Jr., who played outstandingly for Dallas last season, left this off-season to join the LA Clippers. Jones Jr. had an offer to remain with Dallas but chose to sign elsewhere. Other departures included Tim Hardaway Jr., who spent the past five seasons with the club, and Josh Green.
Losing Jones Jr. was the key loss for the Mavericks this offseason. He was critical in the postseason, as his three-point shooting and defense were strong through all four playoff rounds. He also fits well alongside Doncic and Irving. Considering the impact that role players had on the Mavericks last year, Gafford and Washington included, alongside Jones Jr., the loss of Jones was a big one.
Key Player Acquisitions
Undeniably, the most impactful addition this offseason for the Mavericks was in four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson—and arguably one the most significant summer additions league-wide. Thompson should be a perfect fit playing with Doncic and Irving as two of the league’s best passers and playmakers who know how to find shooters. Doncic has an incredible skill set for driving to the basket and kicking the ball back out to the perimeter. Irving is a talented assist maker who will undoubtedly set Thompson up for countless spot-up threes. Thompson was a massive addition, and we can’t wait to see this dynamic offense take off.
Other additions like Spencer Dinwiddie, returning after a season away, bolster the Mavericks on the perimeter. The veteran shooting guard brings length on the wing and can shoot the three. Former Detroit Pistons shooting guard Quentin Grimes also joined Dallas via trade.
Going Back to the Finals
This summer has been successful overall, mainly due to the Klay Thompson signing. Still, the Mavericks’ best offseason move came last year when they re-signed Kyrie Irving. Irving and Doncic have been dynamite together. After a rough start and terrible end to the 2022-23 regular season, eventually missing the playoffs, the duo turned that ship around quickly and in a single season.
A roster including Luka, Kyrie, Thompson, Washington, Gafford, Lively, and Dinwiddie is a formidable bunch. With a full training camp on the horizon to figure things out, there should be no surprise if this group leads the Mavericks straight back to the finals.
