Once seen as a rising powerhouse in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks have stumbled into uneven waters following a series of high-risk roster changes that have left fans questioning the team’s decisions and direction.
The most shocking change to the Maverick was a surprise trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. Doncic, a generational talent, had been the Mavericks’ star player since his arrival to the team in 2018, but apparently, the team management opted for a shake-up. Davis, who had a powerful defensive presence, made his debut for the Mavericks on March 24, where he contributed 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks during a 120-101 win against the Brooklyn Nets. However, he injured himself on debut, taking him out for 18 games, but has returned to the Mavericks after rehab.
Beyond the Doncic and Davis trade, Dallas has struggled to find stability. Moreover, the team’s star player, Kyrie Irving, suffered an injury due to a torn ACL, resulting in his absence from gameplay, further hindering the team. The Mavericks acquired Klay Thompson in exchange for Josh Green and a future second-round pick, hoping that Thompson could provide what they lacked on the offensive side. Additionally, they signed Kai Jones to a two-way contract and waived Kylor Kelley, both minor moves in the big picture of their roster changes.
Despite these additions, the results have been extremely underwhelming. The Mavericks currently sit at 35-37, which puts them third in the Southwest Division and makes them dangerously close to missing the playoffs. The chemistry between the new additions has not yet sparked, and Doncic’s absence from playmaking has been apparent.
In addition, Dallas management is currently facing a lot of backlash from the public, as people and analysts alike are comparing the Doncic trade to some of the worst miscalculations in sports history. While they hoped to construct a more balanced roster, their decision may have negatively impacted their future without securing a clear forward-facing vision.
With the playoffs approaching, the Mavericks must find and develop their cohesion or brace for an offseason of criticism. What was once a promising time now causes fans and haters to wonder, “What happened?”
