The Dallas Mavericks are watching other teams compete in the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
This is probably the last time they can afford to miss them, considering how good Luka Doncic is, and as such, there is already speculation about how the roster can be improved.
“Some names that have been floated as possibilities include the Phoenix Suns’ Deandre Ayton and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton,” Tim Cato of The Athletic reported. “But whether either party has a mutual interest, or whether Dallas has the resources to acquire them, won’t be answered until this summer.”
For the Dallas Mavericks, a lot depends on what happens with Christian Wood and Kyrie Irving moving forward. Christian Wood is unlikely to return to the team, but they will be desperate not to lose Irving for free. They have his Bird rights, which should help them to sign him, but there is no way to know for sure.
Deandre Ayton was one of two players chosen ahead of Luka Doncic in 2018, and even though he isn’t a superstar, he’s better than any Mavericks big man in the past many years. Khris Middleton’s star has fallen following Milwaukee’s shameful exit from the playoffs, and he could be a good start to pair alongside Luka Doncic with his scoring ability.
People Around The League Think Kyrie Irving Will Leave The Mavericks
If Kyrie Irving walks away from the Dallas Mavericks for free, they will desperately need more star talent, which would make these Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton moves likelier. And according to an anonymous NBA executive, there’s no point to the mercurial guard staying with the team that traded for him earlier this year.
“You get into a relationship with Kyrie at your own risk,” the executive said. “I don’t see how he and Luka work, never did. I guess Dallas felt it was worth a shot, but even now, it’s hard to see them getting the right pieces to put around them.
“I’m not sure you can. You’ve got two ball-dominant guys who neither one knows how to play without the ball, and neither one knows how to defend. It’s not a winning situation.”
The noise about a possible move to the Los Angeles Lakers hasn’t died down yet, either. Whatever the scenario, it’s plain that Dallas needs to give their roster an overhaul and get some upgrades. Both Ayton and Middleton could work, but can such acquisitions be completed? Only time will tell.
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