Entering the 2021-22 season, people had mixed feelings on the outlook of the Dallas Mavericks with newly-hired head coach Jason Kidd. Luka Doncic was just coming off an Olympics bronze medal stint with the Slovenian national team, but he has not been in shape since the opening game this year. They are in the middle of the pack of the Western Conference, but their team has a ton of problems in the early quarter of the season.
Offseason acquisitions Reggie Bullock, Sterling Brown, and Moses Brown have been far from stellar as Kidd even has a difficult time inserting these three individuals on a consistent basis. Tim Hardaway Jr. was signed to a four-year, $74 million contract extension in the offseason, but he has been underwhelming this season as well. With the disappointing standing of the Mavs so far, they could negotiate numerous trades that could catapult them to legitimate contention in the Western Conference.
3 players Mavs must pursue at NBA Trade Deadline
With the Mavs building their team to suit the playing style of Doncic, they have been successful by surrounding him with tremendous shooters that could make it rain on any given night. The Sacramento Kings have a crowded backcourt already, and the emergence of Terence Davis has lessened the playing minutes of Buddy Hield. Moreover, the Kings are in dire need of forwards or big men that could bolster their depth.
Giving up Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, and one draft pick could be enough for both sides to agree on this trade. Hardaway Jr. and Hield on the corners gives Doncic and Porzingis a ton of space to operate with their in-between game or slashing abilities because defenders would not want to help on the corners. Hield just needs to enhance his defensive awareness because that has been a glaring weakness since the start of his career.
Goran Dragic
Goran Dragic has been the riding the bench for almost the whole season already for the Toronto Raptors. It has been obvious that he is not part of the long term plans of their organization, thus it seems inevitable that he would be on the move before the February trade deadline. Dallas could acquire him through the buyout market or straight up offer the Raptors young assets to aid in their rebuilding phase.
Dragic is an incredible secondary ball handler that could benefit Doncic as he is tasked to set up the offense of the Mavs almost every single possession. Dragic was sensational with the Miami Heat in their 2020 finals run because of the multitude of moves he possesses, especially with his unorthodox style of play. Additionally, Dragic and Doncic also have the Slovenian connection already that is a boost to their chemistry.
Kemba Walker
This is another player that is just unfortunately getting zero seconds on the court over the last few weeks. Tom Thibodeau has decided to maximize length and defense in his first unit by replacing Walker with Alec Burks. Walker has the track record to prove that he could still be effective on the offensive end in certain spurts of critical games.
Walker could come off the Mavs bench for Kidd as to not put too much pressure on his injury-prone body. He could start getting into shape by just constantly playing 20 minutes at the sixth man role. He could be the perfect facilitator for the second unit of Dallas, which has constantly had trouble manufacturing offense when Doncic takes a break.
Moreover, Walker would be utilized similar to the role of Lou Williams in the Los Angeles Clippers or Jordan Clarkson in the Utah Jazz, wherein he would tally many minutes, but he could be on the bench in their closing lineup because of his subpar defensive prowess.
As the Mavericks head toward another tough season, changes are necessary for the Kidd-led squad if they plan to contend with the best franchises in the Western Conference. Doncic badly needs help in handling the ball handling duties, and they still have not found that perfect piece for over three years already. Even if Porzingis has been excellent this season, Dallas must also address their big men versatility that could compete with the likes of Nikola Jokic, Deandre Ayton, and Anthony Davis.
It is another brilliant season for Doncic and Porzingis, and the organization should not waste this massive opportunity.