The Dallas Mavericks are coming off another season of improvement.
They were one game away from advancing to the second round for the first time since 2011, the year they won it all.
However, now that they lost their series against the Los Angeles Clippers, it is time to look forward to the offseason.
The Mavericks have a potential generational talent in Luka Doncic.
Now the goal should be to build around the young franchise cornerstone.
He is a special gift with the talent to be MVP and win multiple championships.
The Mavericks must give him the best possible supporting cast.
This past postseason saw Luka do too much.
He began to breakdown after each quarter and was solely responsible for their success.
The Dallas Mavericks have been eliminated from the 2021 #NBA Playoffs. Here's how all members of the team stacked up on both ends of the floor during the postseason, per TPA. pic.twitter.com/C2t6zCD7bk
— NBA Math (@NBA_Math) June 7, 2021
They might be tight on cap space, so the best way of business is to trade.
Their goal for this offseason is to offer trades and see if a team bites.
Doncic is entering his fourth year in the league.
It is now time to think titles and being a true contender in the NBA.
Here are two trades they must do this offseason.
2. Trade Josh Richardson
The Mavericks acquired Josh Richardson last offseason from the Philadelphia 76ers.
In doing so, they had to send back Seth Curry in the process.
That trade as of right now has been a major loss on the Mavericks side.
Curry is currently on the number one seed in the Eastern Conference; competing for a title.
Richardson on the other hand, was not good for the Mavericks this season.
For the second straight year his numbers took a slight dip.
However, the most alarming was his lack of playing time in the playoffs.
He was supposed to be a 3-and-D guy for this team, but provided neither one in the playoffs.
In the seven games he played, he averaged 13.4 minutes per game, scored five points per game, and shot 39 percent from the field.
Richardson will most likely pick up his option for next season and see if they will trade him away.
With next year being an expiring deal, perhaps it would be easy to move him.
Best Deal: Josh Richardson, Josh Green, Trey Burke, and 2024 First-Round Pick for Jerami Grant
1. Kristaps Porzingis Has To Go
The biggest news coming from the team after their first-round loss is that Kristaps Porzingis is frustrated with his role.
This comes off his terrible performance in the series.
The Mavs pay Kristaps Porzingis $30M to be more than a tall wing who shoots 3s yet that's all he is now. Averaging 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists vs. Clippers. KP can't create his own shot and he's average at best on defense. It's The Tim Hardaway Jr. Trade from now on.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 5, 2021
His contract is very hefty, but his play has not matched it.
He was supposed to be the co-star with Doncic, but injuries and weak play has not let that notion ever become true.
Porzingis needs a change of scenery this off-season.
Doncic is the obvious star of the team.
Porzingis will never be that guy again, unfortunately.
He is destined for a supporting role on a team from here on out.
However, the bridge has been burned for now on.
The Mavericks must move him this offseason for their future with Doncic on the team.
Best Deal: Kristaps Porzingis and Josh Richardson for Kemba Walker and Tristan Thompson
Leave a Reply