The Dallas Mavericks have made it clear they want to upgrade their athleticism and defense and add to their youth this offseason as they address the key issues that led to them falling apart and ultimately missing the playoffs.
Dallas went 10-18 down the stretch, playing many high-scoring contests and losing the rebounding battles as teams took advantage in the paint, all after having a 96% chance to make the postseason following the trade for Kyrie Irving. Once that didn’t happen, general manager Nico Harrison set out with a plan to fix the holes.
“I think for us going into the offseason, the two biggest things that we need to work on is defense and rebounding,” Harrison told the media during a press conference after last season. “That’s going to be addressed.”
Earlier this offseason, the team drafted Duke’s Derek Lively II and Marquette’s Olivier-Maxence Prosper, both expected to contribute more on the defensive side than on offense during the early portions of their careers.
Lively II spent one season at Duke, where he became one of the nation’s elite shot-blockers, and has drawn comparisons to former Mavericks center Tyson Chandler. Prosper, meanwhile, gives Dallas another athletic defender, versatile enough to play in the paint and on the wing.
But upgrades may still be needed, and, at this point in the offseason, the most likely additions would come through a trade.
One popular trade target mentioned is Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton, who may be available because he is entering the final season of his contract. The 23-year-old was a late draft pick in 2019 and has improved every season. Like Lively II and Prosper, he has much more of an impact with rebounding and defense, finishing among the league leaders in rebounding while earning NBA All-Defensive Team votes by averaging 2.5 blocks per game last season.
Part of the Mavericks’ struggles down the stretch last season were because they lacked a shot-blocker to challenge opponents at the rim. Claxton would certainly help fix that, but what would it cost?
Sports Illustrated recently speculated on a Claxton trade for Dallas, also sending former Maverick Dorian Finney-Smith back to Dallas. However, the projected price may be difficult for some to swallow, as the Mavericks would likely have to give up something similar to a package involving Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., and multiple draft picks.
If Claxton is not the target of choice, there are other options, such as DeAndre Ayton, Clint Capela, and Myles Turner, all of whom would fit the need for another center and help out Lively II and Dwight Powell tremendously. However, the team is in a tight salary cap situation, which could complicate things.
Ayton would cost the most but is the best option other than Claxton because of his athleticism and youth, while Capela and Turner would fill the need, bring more veteran knowledge, and are still young enough to help build the core of the team for the next few years.
Regardless of the target, the Mavericks still need to find a third center and maybe even another defensive wing player by opening night, and there are options out there that can be had while maintaining the goals presented by the front office at the start of the offseason.
The Mavericks open the season on Wednesday, October 25, against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, and their first home game will be Friday, October 27, against the Nets.
