A generational superstar losing in the playoffs once again begets the question: who are the players that the team needs to add to transform into a legitimate championship contender?
It’s an age-old query that has been asked from one legendary player to another from Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and so on. Concerns range from players that can complement his style to how he can elevate the level of his teammates.
Now, it’s Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks’ turn to face that conundrum. After reaching the Western Conference Finals and getting defeated by the Golden State Warriors, what is the next step for them?
First and foremost, there should be an appreciation for what the Mavericks achieved. They won their first playoff series since 2011 and they went on to eliminate the team with the best record, the Phoenix Suns, in the second round.
All that being said, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be back in the Conference Finals next season. And if they want to advance to the Finals and ultimately win the title, they know they have to do something in the offseason.
Doncic is at a point in his career where everything he does now is magnified and dissected tenfold. That’s the price tag of stardom in the league and even more so when you go deeper and deeper into the playoffs. It’s easy to forget that he’s only 23 years old and just finished his fourth season. In his short NBA career thus far, he’s already amassed a Rookie of the Year award, three All-NBA First Team inclusions, and three All-Star appearances. Even though he hasn’t been officially a finalist, he’s been in MVP discussions, especially in the last two years.
As the legend of Luka Magic grows, so does the demand for his greatness. Sooner than later, the talk isn’t about how awesome he is, it’s going to be about his capability to win an NBA championship.
And it all goes back to who can play alongside Luka?
To be fair, Dallas has been doing a lot since the last offseason. Management hired a new general manager in Nico Harrison and placed Jason Kidd in the head coaching position. The Mavericks then took a swing at the trade deadline, dealing Kristaps Porzingis to Washington. The move was drastic and ballsy, but eventually, it unlocked a different side of the Mavericks.
With the entry of Spencer Dinwiddie and the growth of Jalen Brunson, the team leaned on playmaking and dribble-drive penetration as the cornerstones of their attack. Instead of pairing Doncic with a big man who can shoot, they doubled down on what they thought their best attribute was. The result was a fantastic playoff run.
But in the loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Mavericks were also exposed to what was missing for them. Everything fell on the shoulders of Doncic. Throughout the playoffs, he was tasked to score and handle the playmaking duties a whole lot. He still got his numbers, no doubt, but you can tell that it wore on him and on the team in every game. Averaging 31.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in 36.8 minutes in the recent playoffs didn’t come without a cost. When they were met by the championship-caliber defense of the Warriors, they were shut down.
At the top of Dallas’ to-do list is the plan on Brunson, who will be an unrestricted free agent. How much are they willing to spend? The second-round pick turned a lot of heads this season with his overall play. His fearlessness and drive will benefit any team in the league needing a point guard. His performance in the playoffs, especially at the start when Doncic was still recovering from an injury, was something to watch. When the Mavs star eventually returned, Brunson was still aggressive and became one of the barometers of whether or not they could win a playoff game.
In relation to Brunson, they still have Tim Hardaway Jr. who was injured in the second half of the season with a broken right foot. How much will Hardaway’s impending return be a factor in paying Brunson? Or do they go for a trade to get someone else in return? It’ll also be interesting to see a full season with Dinwiddie. A long offseason with a training camp could do wonders with how they want to integrate him moving forward.
Another upgrade worth looking into is the center position. With utmost respect to Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell, the Mavs need more out of their big men. Kleber’s shooting and Powell’s rim-running ability worked well for the most part, but both were manhandled by Kevon Looney. You can only play small-ball basketball so much. Plus when it comes to the Warriors who are masters of that style of play, you need to have a more diverse approach.
Then again, do you overreact after one playoff series? Kleber and Powell brought great versatility as Dallas’ primary frontcourt. They knew how to space the floor and when to cut to the rim. They have also been great defensively for the most part. Maybe they just needed some postseason experience against the best teams.
And then there’s Luka himself. With his health and fitness being a point of hot conversation, his coming into training camp in shape can have an immediate impact on the team. He won’t have to work his way into game shape. Since he has an extremely high usage rate, having enough strength in the playoffs is a must. You’re not expecting Doncic to be as chiseled as Giannis Antetokounmpo by any stretch of the imagination. He’s in his 20s and should be able to do whatever he wants. And yet, it’ll be eye-opening to see what a fully in-shape Luka Doncic looks like.
There’s a lot you can appreciate about what Dallas has accomplished this postseason. The Mavericks exceeded expectations with their gallant stand against the Warriors. At the same time, they can’t afford to rest on their laurels. The West will offer stricter competition next year and they can’t be complacent.
The Mavericks have a superstar in Doncic. As long as he’s wearing a Dallas jersey, they know they have a chance to compete for the title year in and year out. Now the real work begins in finding the right mix of players to improve their chances.
