The Dallas Mavericks haven’t had an ideal offseason so far. They saw Jalen Brunson leave them in a controversial fashion for the New York Knicks. The Mavericks failed to sign a replacement for him after Goran Dragic chose the Chicago Bulls over the Mavs, with the team’s marquee free-agent signing being JaVale McGee.
The Mavs made a solid addition to the team in Jaden Hardy with a second-round draft pick and traded for Christian Wood on an expiring contract. But with Brunson leaving and nobody replacing him in that role, Luka put some pressure on the front office by saying he wants to win in Dallas and is expecting the front office to make more moves this offseason.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison has responded to hearing Luka express his desire to win a championship in Dallas and recognized the fact that the team needs to put better talent around him to make that dream a reality.
Nico Harrison on Luka Dončić comments of winning in Dallas: “It makes the team feel really good but also we know that we have to surround him with the type of talent that he deserves to win a championship.”
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) July 13, 2022
The Mavs have a definite vision with their offseason moves that even they have revealed. The size of the Mavs lineup is going to be their x-factor as they do not plan on playing any players shorter than 6’4″ in their lineups. Jaden Hardy is currently the shortest player on the squad, but he is a rookie and won’t have a heavy minutes load.
The news of Christian Wood possibly coming off the bench and JaVale McGee starting over him indicates that the Mavs look at that as their center rotation, with both additions having the ability to play alongside Luka. Wood is a stretch big, and McGee is a rim-protecting lob-catcher.
The moves on the edges could enhance Luka more than the fanbase has anticipated. However, it seems even Luka would want the team to keep active in the offseason. Hopefully, the Mavs have a team capable of improving on their run to the Western Conference Finals.
