The Dallas Mavericks have one of the biggest young talents in the NBA at their disposal. Luka Doncic, at just 23, has achieved more than most players do in their entire career. The 3-time All-Star has also made 3 consecutive All-NBA First Teams and has been ranked as the 3rd best player in the league by ESPN ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Doncic is once again an MVP candidate, but having lost the closest players he had to co-stars in Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Brunson, there are doubts about whether he needs another All-Star level player next to him. He carried the Mavericks to the Western Conference in style last season, but the Golden State Warriors were able to beat them handily, leading to questions about him being able to get it done alone.
Doncic thinks he has all the help he needs to win a championship, and he recently said as much. But Dallas will still likely be working to put some high-level talent around him. The Mavericks have added Christian Wood to their lineup, but most analysts seem to think that they need another ball-handler and scorer to replace Brunson, who signed with the Knicks.
NBA Analyst Suggests Shai Gilgeous-Alexander As A Target For The Dallas Mavericks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the hottest young prospects in the NBA. Although he’s not been an All-Star yet, SGA has averaged nearly 22 points per game for the last 3 seasons, to go along with over 5 rebounds and nearly 5 assists per game. And at 23, his timeline is also identical to Luka’s. So it’s no surprise that Matt Phillips of Mavs Moneyball has suggested him as a target for the team.
“The immediate target that comes to mind is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder value draft picks more than any team since the “Process” Philadelphia 76ers.
“Gilgeous-Alexander has the size the Mavericks prefer in Doncic’s back court partners but far more ability than anyone else the Mavericks have employed. Gilgeous-Alexander’s defense has slid considerably the last couple of seasons but he is still gifted on that end. If the Mavericks can get him for two or three picks and two swaps they should do so.”
Luka Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander in the backcourt is a tantalizing prospect, and the Mavs will have the flexibility to make such a move next offseason or perhaps even during this season. If the chips fall right, then Doncic could have his co-star for the future and the Mavericks could become favorites rather than just contenders for years to come.
