Review of last season
It is hard to believe that the Mavericks, who made it to the Finals again after 13 years in the 23-24 season, would reach the most blockbuster deal in history with the Lakers just half a season later without leaking any news: sending away the 26-year-old cornerstone star Luka Doncic in exchange for Big Eyebrow, Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. What's even harder to believe is that more than three months later, the Mavericks actually won the No. 1 pick with a very low probability of 1.8%. One after another, Mavericks fans felt like they were on a roller coaster. The result was okay, but the taste was really unpleasant.
Putting aside the so-called "conspiracy theories", Doncic's departure marks the end of an era. The Slovenian genius was named to the All-NBA First Team and All-Star five times during his six and a half seasons in Dallas, rescuing the Mavericks from the post-Dirk era rebuilding quagmire. Because of this, when the news came out, the entire league was shocked, and in exchange for thick eyebrows with potential injury risks, the deal was widely questioned in the industry, and the subsequent season process seemed to confirm the concerns of the outside world.
After the huge changes, the atmosphere and morale of the entire Mavericks team were obviously greatly affected. In addition, Irving was seriously injured and missed a period of time with a thick eyebrow injury. The Mavericks' record last season was finally fixed at 39 wins and 43 losses, ranking only tenth in the Western Conference. They lost to the Grizzlies in the play-offs and missed the playoffs.
Offseason operations
The Mavericks' offseason operations focus on contract renewal, retaining the finals team, and then making targeted reinforcements to the weak backcourt. The management clearly realized that after deciding to give up Doncic, the team must build a deep and well-structured lineup around Irving and Big Eyebrows in order to live up to the slogan "Defense wins championships."
Gafford renewed his contract for 54 million in three years. Since joining the Mavericks, Gafford's efficiency has remained high (shooting rate 70+%), and he even achieved a historical level of finishing efficiency for a period of time. Although there is the organizational bonus of the core Doncic, retaining this quasi-starting-level center with an average salary of less than 20 million is a very cost-effective operation. His finishing and shot-blocking abilities at the basket are an important guarantee for the Mavericks' inside rotation.
Irving renewed his contract for 119 million in three years. When Doncic was traded after suffering an injury, Irving played the leading role and performed quite brilliantly. In 50 games, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 36.1 minutes per game. His three-field shooting percentage was as high as 47.3/40.1/91.6%. He returned to the All-Star ranks at the age of 33 and proved that he is still a top-notch defender in the league and still has T0-level finishing ability. Against the background of an inflated salary cap, a contract extension with an average salary of 40 million is simply a friendly price. Dallas has sincerely accepted Irving, who has been controversial off the court, and he has also taken a huge salary cut in return.
Signed Russell for 13 million in 2 years. A piece of reinforcement for the backcourt during Irving's injury. There are not many good point guards available on the market at this price. Although Russell's three-point shooting percentage dropped to a career low of 31.4% last season, his offensive development and pick-and-roll ability are highly compatible with the Mavericks' forward lineup.
Re-signed with Washington for 90 million in 4 years. In the 23-24 season, the Mavericks reached the finals. In addition to the leading stars Doncic and Irving, the "Armbrother" Washington, who is not merciless in tough battles and has unlimited passion, also contributed a lot. Washington has always been dedicated to his hometown team, the Mavericks. This season, Washington averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 38.1%. Although the forward resources are somewhat overflowing, for a 3D forward of his level, this contract extension is still very cost-effective.
Select Flagg with the No. 1 pick. For the Mavericks, who miraculously won the No. 1 pick, choosing Flagg was a decision that didn't require much thought. Regardless of potential or immediate combat ability, Flagg, who is already famous all over the world and is known as the new generation of "Son of America", can satisfy all the imagination of Mavericks fans. His strong defensive ability also destined Flagg to be ineffective. In his freshman season, Flagg played 37 games for Duke, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in 30.7 minutes per game. He shot 48.1% from the field, 38.5% from three-point range, and 84% from the free throw line (averaging 5.8 free throws per game).
Moreover, it is rare to join such a strong and experienced team and learn how to play correctly in your rookie season. Flagg's luck has already surpassed 99% of No. 1 picks. It is also worth looking forward to how Kidd, who has successfully trained Antetokounmpo, will train this new star.
The current main lineup
Guards: Irving (recuperating), Clay, Russell, Christie, Exum, Hardy;
Forwards: Big Eyebrow, Flagg, Washington, Marshall, Caleb Martin;
Centers: Lively, Gafford, Powell.
Expected starting lineup: Russell, Clay, Flagg, Big Eyebrow, Lively.
Outlook for the new season
On paper, the Mavericks' three top picks (Irving, Big Eyebrow, and Flagg) plus a group of powerful players are absolutely top-notch in talent, but the lineup is a bit top-heavy and the backcourt is obviously weak.
Taking into account the depth of the Mavericks' lineup, the risk of injuries, and the competitive environment in the Western Conference, the Mavericks are expected to achieve a record of 42-48 wins in the new season, ranking between 7th and 10th in the Western Conference.. But if the core players can stay healthy and the team runs smoothly, the Mavericks are fully capable of making some noise in the playoffs. After all, no one wants to meet this Mavericks in a 7-game series.
In the long run, the future of the Mavericks is indeed bright: Big Eyebrow and Irving are still the league's top stars when healthy; Flagg has the potential to be the cornerstone of the team; Washington, Gafford, Lively and other role players are all in their prime and are cost-effective. As long as the management remains patient and gradually cultivates the team's chemical reaction, the Mavericks are fully expected to become a strong contender for the championship within 2-3 years. In any case, after bidding farewell to the Doncic era, the Mavericks have opened a new chapter. The next journey may not necessarily be smooth sailing, but for Mavericks fans, witnessing the rebirth and transformation of the team is also a unique experience in itself.