With Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, the Dallas Mavericks have a core that can keep them competitive for the foreseeable future.
At just 10-9 on the season, however, it’s clear that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done if the Mavericks ever want to take a step up in the West.
According to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, they could be getting some help soon in the form of veteran Slovenian point guard Goran Dragic.
The sense is Goran works his way toward his preferred (and most viable) option of the (Dallas) Mavericks, to close out the season alongside Slovenian compatriot Luka Doncic. But also understand, this is not the equivalent of John Wall insisting he play as a starter in Houston. Goran already has proven amenable to a bench role, something he thrived in with the Heat.
Dragic, 35, is averaging 8 points in just 5 games for Toronto and has been away for most of the season dealing with some kind of personal matter in his home country.
With impatience building, a buyout looks increasingly likely and it makes sense why the Mavericks, are interested in signing him.
Besides Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, the Mavs are lacking a true ball-handling guard and it is an issue that has plagued them all season long.
Although Jalen Brunson has emerged recently as a potential suitor for the secondary playmaker role, Doncic is still being used almost an identical amount as last year. This is not an entirely bad thing, as Doncic is one of the best players in the world, but we have already seen the negative effects that this has. He has resorted to taking a lot of late clock, bail-out, step-back threes, most of which have not gone in, and has isolated a lot with minimal movement on the back side. This, once again, goes back to the lack of flow in the offense, and for the Mavericks to take it to the next level, they need to find a way to get the ball out of Doncic’s hands and into the hands of someone who can consistently make a play.
Dragic is not going to solve all of Dallas’ problems, but his ball-handling and shooting abilities should make a noticeable difference in the backcourt and will allow Luka to play off the ball.
Unfortunately, the Raptors have yet to finalize any buyout at this moment, so the Mavericks will have to wait a bit longer before they can make a move.
