How This Deal Impacts Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have a sizable hole to fill in their backcourt. They were not expecting Jalen Brunson to depart in free agency, but his signing with the New York Knicks has left them shorthanded. While it would certainly be a risk, acquiring Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets could make some sense.
Irving would provide the team with a capable replacement for Jalen Brunson, who was an integral part of their rotation. Brunson was easily their second-best player throughout the 2022 postseason and there isn’t currently a player on the roster that can replicate what he did.
The Mavericks are also dangerously thin when it comes to ball handlers. Beyond Luka Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie, who are expected to start in the backcourt, Frank Ntilikina is all they have. That is something that needs to be addressed.
With the amount of depth that they have in the frontcourt, they will be able to overcome the loss of Davis Bertans. JaVale McGee and Christian Wood were both acquired this offseason while Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber both remain on the roster as well.
Dorian Finney-Smith could be the starting power forward, further softening the loss of Bertans. Tim Hardaway Jr. played in only 42 games last season and with the frontcourt additions, other players could be asked to play minutes on the wing.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND RUMORS: This Mavericks-Timberwolves Trade Features D’Angelo Russell
Parting ways with two first-round picks, which is essentially all of the draft capital they have remaining is not ideal. But, Dallas is receiving the best player in the deal and the Nets need to be compensated for the contracts they are taking on.
