Dallas Mavericks Team Review

2024-25 Finish: 24-58 (14^th in West)

Season Highlight:

Yet another tough season for LJ and his Mavericks. The bright side is the 24 wins were +8 on the previous season and the teams most since 2021/2022 season. We might finally be seeing the upward trend for the franchise. The team saw a lot of turnover of players and now sport a nice young core to go with a swag of picks over the coming seasons.

Season Lowlight:

Just 24 wins, 2^nd last in the west and only managed to land the #6 pick. Can the NSL gods be kind to the Mavs for once. Landing one of the top 2 picks would have been a massive boon for this down trodden team but it wasn’t to be.

Best Trade:

Mavericks send:  Kyle Kuzma and Nikola Jovic 1st-Rounder (Tor)

Mavericks receive:  Devin Vassell 2nd-Rounder (LAL), 1st-Rounder (Cha) and 2nd-Rounder (Den)

Moving Kuzma for a better, younger guy in Vassell while moving picks forward was a savvy move. Vassell came in and was a solid piece for the Mavs, putting up nice numbers and improving his trade value further.

Worst Trade:

Maverickss send:   DAngelo Russell 

Mavericks receive:  DeAnthony Melton, Cody Martin, 2nd-Rounder (Dal) and 2nd-Rounder (Bkn)

Dlo is no world beater, but for a team lacking talent and depth moving him for a couple of 2nds and 2 guys that aren’t going to move the needle probably was a misstep especially when the price paid to get Russell in was cheap.

Other Notable Trades:

Mavericks send: Gabe Vincent 

Mavericks receive:  DAngelo Russell 

Great deal for the Mavs, using the cap space available to upgrade a guy to one that could be a 2k boom guy.

Mavericks send:  Cameron Johnson

Mavericks get: Duncan Robinson 1st-Rounder (Sac)

Cameron Johnson is a nice piece, but not the answer for the Mavs and their direction, moving him for a potentially valuable pick was a nice move.

Free Agency:

The Mavericks are yet another team that will be just operating on the outskirts of FA. Their record hinders them to be a real player for the top FA’s, but they also have 13 players under contract with just Tre Mann to return via RFA.

Tre Mann (RFA) – Easy retain if they want to keep him. Mann signed a reasonably team friendly deal at $8m per year on a 2+1T. can cut the cord after next season if the improvement for Mann isn’t there.

Star:

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Miles Bridges

Despite his terrible off court behaviour causing headlines early, Bridges put up a really nice on court season for the Mavs, 21ppg, 5rpg, he started all 66 of his games played for the team. His improved stats also helped find a buyer for a guy that LJ probably wasn’t interested on having on the team, DeAndre Hunter and a couple of picks helps the Mavs on their quest to build a competitive team.

Flop:

Mark Williams

A former 10^th overall pick has only played for 1 NSL franchise. Wiliams has been the great hope of the Mavericks, he has all the attributes to be a stud in the NSL, height, athleticism, skill but he just cannot be on the court enough for the Mavs.  LJ has rebuffed countless trade offers for Williams, many lowball offers no doubt, can he become what was promised, if so it will be a boon for the team.

Draft Grades:

Pick 6 – Egor Demin

Overall Grade: A-

The Mavs had an awkward position at 6 in the draft, the needs were a star but really at that point there is probably no sure fire guys available. They went for the upside and boom or bust guy in Demin. He has the size and the passing skills where he could be a real mismatch in the NSL especially with PG eligibility. If Demin can develop into a great 2^nd or 3^rd guy then that’s a big win on this draft.

The Future:

It has to be a slow build upwards for these Mavericks. Right now there isn’t a quick fix back to relevancy in the west, but with the path laid out last season, enough swings at the draft and we will eventually have the Mavs competing night in night out. Jalen Green is a proven NSL stud, Jabari Smith Jr has all the upside in the world. If Mark Williams and Egor Demin can maximise their potential we might have a sleeper team for a playin spot if everything goes right.

Current Depth Chart:

C: Mark Williams/Zach Collins

PF Jabari Smith Jr./ Naji Marshall

SF: DeAndre Hunter/Dalton Knecht

SG: Jalen Green/ Egor Demin

PG: Miles McBride/ Tre Mann