The Dallas Mavericks made one of the biggest trades this season when they acquired 8-time All-Star and 2015-16 NBA champion Kyrie Irving. It was rather shocking to see the deal go through, especially because Dallas had heavy competition from other teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers. The point guard was expected to make the Mavericks a much better team because his partnership with Luka Doncic should have made waves in the Western Conference. However, it did not work out at all despite the point guard posting 27.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 6.0 APG this season with the Mavericks.
The team was 4th in the Western Conference before the trade and ended up falling into the lottery with a putrid 38-44 record. Regardless of how it turned out so badly, the Dallas Mavericks had to take a risk and go after Irving because a player of his caliber hardly becomes available. Looking ahead to next season, the Mavericks will need more than just Doncic and Irving.
With the Los Angeles Lakers apparently out on Kyrie Irving next year, the superstar point guard might have no choice but to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Not to mention, Dallas will fight as much as possible to keep the NBA’s greatest ball-handler with the team to give Luka Doncic a star teammate.
Despite having two of the most talented offensive players in the league, the Mavericks must continue to make trades to ensure they finish with a top-3 seed in the West. Luckily, there are major moves the Mavericks can make to improve the roster before the 2023-24 NBA season starts. Teams are still looking to make changes over the next few days, and there are five major targets that Dallas can acquire to improve their team and actually create a dynamic Big Three.
As great as Luka and Kyrie look on paper, they will need a bit more help to be a title threat in the Western Conference because the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns are all title contenders this year. Here are the five targets the Dallas Mavericks can entertain to add to the pairing of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Jerami Grant
Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Season Statistics: 20.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Jerami Grant is a player almost every team would love to have because he has always been a solid defender but has improved his offensive game tremendously. The forward put up 20.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG for the Portland Trail Blazers this year, solid numbers for a veteran two-way player who had to take a backseat role behind Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. Grant can defend multiple positions as a 6’8” forward including most guards and definitely all forwards.
Even if Grant is not an All-Star, he would make the Dallas Mavericks a solid team on both ends of the floor because he can nail outside shots, run the floor, and defend four positions well. The Mavericks need a guy they can trust to be consistent, something Grant brings at an above-average level. It won’t be cheap to acquire him, but Dallas should do anything it takes to help Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the court.
Deandre Ayton
Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Season Statistics: 18.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Deandre Ayton is among the most valuable players that could be in the trade market because he is only 24 years old with some experience in the playoffs already. He can score inside, shoot the ball from mid-range, and play solid defense in the post. Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 and has a lot left in the tank as he continues to improve as a two-way star. This season, the big man is posting 18.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 0.8 BPG while shooting 58.9% FG and 76.0% FT. The big man has done well right now in Phoenix, even if he does have three superstars alongside him. Ayton can do a lot well alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Ayton made the NBA Finals in 2021 with the Suns as the third-best player behind Devin Booker and Chris Paul. As a third option, Ayton can be a valuable addition to a roster that has two elite offensive players in Doncic and Irving. The big man can focus on playing defense, rebounding, and even being the go-to player in the post because, at 6’11” and 250 lbs, Ayton is hard to stop when he has a look at the basket. If the Phoenix Suns do not win the title this year, which looks likely since the team is down 2-0 in the playoffs, Ayton could be on the move and the Mavericks could capitalize.
Mikal Bridges
Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Season Statistics: 20.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Mikal Bridges will be an All-Star very soon because he improved his offensive game as soon as he touched down in Brooklyn. The forward was averaging 17.2 PPG with the Suns over 56 games, but the last 27 games of his season with the Nets showed his worth. Bridges averaged 26.1 PPG and 4.5 RPG with the Nets and he did it by attacking the rim and nailing outside shots. The youngster was also solid in the playoffs, averaging 23.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 4.0 APG.
The 26-year-old is too good to be playing on a rebuilding team and the Mavericks could offer a package to the Brooklyn Nets of whatever they ask for to bring aboard Bridges. The Mavericks struggled with defense all year, ranking 16th in OPPG and 24th in defensive rating. Dallas needs a player who can guard multiple positions and still score off the ball and Bridges fits in perfectly. It will be very hard for the Mavericks to snag Bridges, but anything is possible for the right price.
Khris Middleton
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Season Statistics: 15.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Khris Middleton had a rough season dealing with injuries and struggling with his shooting (31.5% 3-PT FG), but expect the 3-time All-Star to be back with a vengeance next season. The sidekick to Giannis Antetokounmpo is a free agent this summer and will be looking for the most money he can get while possibly looking for a new destination. Middleton has a career average of 38.8% shooting from three and is also automatic from the free-throw line (88.2%), so he fits the bill as a defensive wing who can play off superstars.
Make no mistake, without Middleton being the elite sidekick that he was, the Milwaukee Bucks do not win the 2020-21 NBA championship regardless of Giannis’ superstar dominance. Middleton only posted 15.1 PPG this season and was a non-factor in the playoffs for his standards, so he could welcome a change of scenery to showcase his talents again except this time having two superstars beside him in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Zach LaVine
Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
2022-23 Season Statistics: 24.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Zach LaVine is still one of the best scorers in the NBA as he averaged 24.8 PPG and 4.2 APG for the Chicago Bulls this season. LaVine has played so well in recent seasons that he has made the two All-Star Teams in a crowded Eastern Conference with tons of talent on the wing. Whether he scores inside or from deep, he is a very capable star in today’s NBA. LaVine is a go-to scoring option that Luka Doncic would relish playing alongside whenever Kyrie Irving is not on the floor or dealing with double teams.
To get this deal over the line, the Mavericks will need to lose valuable role players and possibly first-round picks to create one of the most exciting Big Threes in the NBA. LaVine is an elite scorer, something that allows versatility in the Mavericks’ offense. Averaging 38.4% shooting from deep over his career, LaVine can be a dominant offensive player without needing the ball consistently. The point is to acquire a third All-Star to create scoring opportunities and add athleticism on the wing.
