The Dallas Mavericks were defeated in the NBA Finals by the Boston Celtics. Dallas fought hard throughout the 2023-24 campaign, upsetting expectations along the way. In the end, they fell short in the Finals to a talented C's team.
Still, there is a lot to appreciate about the 2023-24 season. Dallas displayed resiliency all season long, and Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving proved they could play alongside one another at a high level.
But what changes do the Mavericks need to make for the 2024-25 season? Should Dallas make any drastic moves? Perhaps a trade or two?
Without further ado, here is what the Mavericks must do to win the 2025 NBA Finals.
*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Find a third scorer
The addition of PJ Washington proved to be pivotal for Dallas. He displayed flashes of being a third scorer. However, he was inconsistent at times.
Adding a reliable scorer behind Doncic and Irving would help the Mavs. The third scorer does not need to be a star either. As long as it is someone who can make an impact in the scoring department on a nightly basis, the Mavs will take it.
The Mavericks may be linked to superstars in free agency. In fact, recent rumors suggested that Dallas is interested in drafting Bronny James, which led to speculation about LeBron James and the Mavs. But in the end, Dallas just needs another reliable scorer alongside Doncic, Irving, and Washington.
Re-sign Derrick Jones Jr.
Derrick Jones Jr. was one of the better defenders in the NBA during the 2023-24 campaign. He also contributed from an offensive standpoint.
Jones reportedly has interest in re-signing with Dallas in free agency. One has to imagine that the Mavs would love to bring him back as well.
Jones can guard multiple positions and played a big role in helping the Mavericks emerge as one of the better defensive teams in the NBA during the second half of the season. Without Jones, the Mavs may not have made it as far as they did.
No, he does not always receive all of the attention and accolades. However, the Mavs were 47-29 with Derrick Jones Jr. in 2023-24, and they were just 3-3 without him.
Don't panic and stick to the plan
Some teams immediately go into a panic after failing to win a championship. As a result, they make more moves than they need to during the offseason.
I don't believe the Mavericks will have this mindset. General manager Nico Harrison and the Mavs believe in the long-term future. But it is important that Dallas remains confident in their current roster.
Can they make certain upgrades? Absolutely, but building around the core of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II should be the plan. They do not need to make a jaw-dropping trade to completely change the roster.
Dallas features plenty of potential. The future is bright without question. The 2023-24 season did not end how they wanted, but they may bounce back and make another championship run in 2024-25.
Follow Us
Subscribe