2022-23 Dallas Mavericks vs. 2022-23 Phoenix Suns Full Comparison

The 2022-23 NBA trade deadline was one of the more active trade deadlines in the last two decades. Two teams at the center of massive deadline deals to acquire stars are the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns. The Mavericks shocked the basketball world by acquiring Nets guard Kyrie Irving in a deal done just days before the deadlines. Then, in an overnight frenzy on deadline day, The Suns dropped another bombshell when they decided to acquire superstar Kevin Durant from the Nets as well. The two moves immediately made both Dallas and Phoenix the most intriguing teams heading into the final stretch of the season.

With the Western Conference absolutely stacked after this trade deadline, the Suns and Mavericks have their work cut out for them. If the seasons ended right now, these two teams would square off against each other in the first round of the playoffs. Seeing as the season still has more than 25 games left, the best we can do is give you the most accurate comparison available. Each one of these teams now has a path to the NBA championship, and it may just run through one another in order to make it a reality.

This is the full comparison of the new-look 2022-23 Dallas Mavericks and the 2022-23 Phoenix Suns.

Starting Lineups

Dallas Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, Dwight Powell

Phoenix Suns: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Kevin Durant, Deandre Ayton

Let us start with the starting lineups for each of these Western Conference teams. The Mavericks start things off with perhaps the most talented backcourt in the NBA at this moment. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic make for one of the more exciting duos in basketball, with each of their styles playing off of each other perfectly. Irving can play off the ball if Doncic wishes to dominate possession and vice versa. The rest of the lineup rounds out with Tim Hardaway Jr., who has found his shooting stroke as of late, and Reggie Bullock, who has also shot well lately. Dwight Powell brings 6.8 PPG and 4.3 RPG from the center position. This lineup, minus Luka from injury, has gone 2-0 so far since the trade went down, giving Mavericks fans excitement at the thought of Doncic’s return.

The Phoenix Suns now have the most explosive starting lineup in the NBA with the addition of Kevin Durant. Before the injury that will keep him sidelined through the All-Star break, Durant was averaging 29.7 PPG on an insanely efficient 55.9% shooting. Chris Paul will fall more into a floor general role with less pressure to score now that Durant is in the lineup and can focus on his playmaking, where he still thrives. Devin Booker is back from injury now and has led Phoenix to two wins with 19 and 21-point performances. Whether Torrey Craig or T.J. Warren gets the starting small forward spot is up in the air, while Deandre Ayton will benefit from the attention his new teammates will draw. The Suns look well enough on paper to climb to the first place spot once again if everyone can stay healthy and on the court.

Advantage: Phoenix Suns

Bench

Dallas Mavericks: Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, Theo Pinson, Christian Wood, Maxi Kleber, JaVale McGee

Phoenix Suns: Cameron Payne, Damion Lee, Terrence Ross, Josh Okogie, Torrey Craig, Darius Bazley, Jock Landale, Bismack Biyombo

When it comes to bench depth for each of these teams, Dallas picks up an advantage over Phoenix. Christian Wood is easily the Mavericks’ best weapon off the bench and is contributing 17.7 PPG and 8.2 RPG in 45 games this season. Third-year guard Josh Green has looked pretty good this season off the bench as well, averaging 9.0 PPG and shooting 41.5% from three. When we get a real scope of how much the bench will impact the rest of the seasons is when both Maxi Kleber and JaVale McGee return from injury. The Mavericks will need both of those guys for frontcourt depth as the playoffs approach and commence.

The Suns lose a bit of depth in the deal that lands them Kevin Durant. Phoenix sent Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder to Brooklyn in the deal, giving them a ton of work to do for depth. Torrey Craig is one of their better defenders, so do not be surprised if he makes the starting lineup fairly quickly. Josh Okogie has had a few big games over the last two weeks for Phoenix, and they will need him moving forward. Jock Landale and Bismack Biyombo round out their depth in the frontcourt, which is a point of weakness for Phoenix, as is their overall bench play moving forward.

Advantage: Mavericks

Jason Kidd vs. Monty Williams

Jason Kidd will have his hands full for the final stretch of the 2022-23 season. So far, things feel and look good on the court with Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks winning each of their first two games together. The big test for Kidd will be how he utilizes his two stars when Luka Doncic returns to the lineup and if they can overcome their defensive deficiencies. Kidd has some tough work ahead of him but has already shown flashes of being able to light a fire under his guys and fight for their season on many occasions before.

Monty Williams has been given the most talented lineup he has ever had as the coach of the Phoenix Suns. There is no doubt that his players respect and play hard for him, so handing him a superstar like Kevin Durant will have no effect on that. Williams can handle the pressure, but his biggest task will be mixing his starters with his depleted bench and depth. If Williams can find the right formula and stick with it, the Suns have themselves a path back to the NBA Finals.

Advantage: Suns

Dallas Mavericks Advantages

This matchup was already an electric one in last season’s playoffs, and it would be that way if they met this year once again. The Mavericks have a clear advantage with depth which is saying something about Phoenix considering how rough Dallas’ bench has played this season at times. The Mavericks have much more established and more talent on both ends of the floor coming off the bench, which will be crucial to victory in any playoff series. Not only that, but the Mavericks’ bench and starters have blended well together so far this season and especially since Kyrie has gotten to town.

The other advantage that Dallas brings into this matchup is their backcourt. Yes, Chris Paul and Devin Booker are tremendous and now have another weapon added to open up space for them to work. However, they do not bring the kind of attack that Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving bring as a duo. Both players are superior to most at getting to the rim at will, setting up their teammates, and Irving even provides off-ball play that can thrive alongside Doncic. This backcourt is potentially the best in basketball if it plays out right and will be an advantage in any series vs. any opponent.

Phoenix Suns Advantages

While the Mavericks hold an advantage with their backcourt, the Suns hold an advantage offensively with the rest of their starting lineup. Kevin Durant gives the Suns an element of attack on offense that will be virtually impossible to stop. Durant’s game is undoubtedly going to draw double teams at some point, leaving an immense amount of space for Booker, Paul, and Ayton to work. Ayton is key to this considering where defenses will be focusing. Ayton is averaging 18.6 PPG, and 10.2 RPG in 49 starts this year. As long as the core of this lineup is healthy moving forward, it is the deadliest lineup in the entire NBA.

The next glaring advantage for Phoenix is not only coaching but experience as well. Monty Williams, Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton have all been to an NBA Finals just two years ago. Now, they add Kevin Durant, who knows what it takes to win on a loaded team like the Suns seem to be after the trade deadline. Durant has been to four NBA Finals himself, winning two NBA championships with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. The experience will be key as the rest of 2022-23 and the playoffs unfold.

Which Team Is Better After The NBA Trade Deadline?

There can be no doubt that both of these teams got better after the NBA trade deadline this year. The Mavericks finally gave Luka a second star who can create for himself and others and can finally get down that historically high usage rate of his. The Suns added maybe the best superstar to ever be traded mid-season at this point in their careers with Kevin Durant. The Suns do lose some depth, but you have to make that sacrifice if you want to win now.

So, which one of these lineups is better moving forward? The offensive firepower of Phoenix’s starting lineup will be too much to handle for any team in the NBA, let alone a less-than-ideal Mavericks defensive attack. There are simply too many weapons that Phoenix can throw at any opponent on any given night. What will be their challenge is their depth and health. That is certainly something to watch for, given the injury history of many starters for the Suns. For now, Phoenix has to hold a slight edge over Dallas, but there is a lot of basketball left to be played to prove me wrong. 

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