The Dallas Mavericks are officially on the clock, facing crucial decisions as they prepare for the upcoming NBA season.
The Dallas Mavericks, once a dominant force in the NBA with a rich history of success, find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. With the 2024-2025 NBA season approaching, the franchise is officially on the clock, faced with crucial decisions that will determine not only the immediate future of the team but potentially its trajectory for years to come. The question on everyone’s mind is: can the Mavericks build a championship-contending team around their superstar, Luka Dončić?
After a strong start to the 2020s, the Mavericks entered a new era with the clear focus of building around the generational talent of Luka Dončić. The young Slovenian guard has quickly established himself as one of the league’s brightest stars, known for his scoring, playmaking, and basketball IQ. However, despite Dončić’s brilliance, the Mavericks have not been able to break through to the highest level of competition in the postseason. With only one trip to the Western Conference Finals under their belt in recent seasons, the urgency to build a championship contender around Luka is growing more intense. This is the reality that Mavericks’ management, led by Mark Cuban and Nico Harrison, must face as the clock ticks down.
The Luka Dončić Era: A Rising Superstar
Luka Dončić has undoubtedly been the shining star for the Dallas Mavericks since his arrival in the NBA in 2018. In his first few seasons, Dončić demonstrated his unique talent as a player who can do it all: score, pass, rebound, and control the game’s pace. He has quickly risen to the upper echelons of NBA superstars, placing him in the conversation with the likes of LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kevin Durant.
Dončić’s accolades speak for themselves. He has made multiple All-NBA teams, is a three-time All-Star, and consistently ranks among the league’s top scorers and playmakers. His performances in the playoffs, particularly in 2021 against the Los Angeles Clippers, showcased his ability to deliver on the biggest stage, averaging over 35 points per game in the series and leading the Mavericks to two victories over the heavily favored Clippers. But despite his individual brilliance, the Mavericks have yet to find consistent success in the postseason. This has led to questions about the team’s roster construction and what pieces need to be added around Luka to elevate the Mavericks to true title contention.
The Challenges of Building Around Luka Dončić
Luka Dončić is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but he is also a player who requires a specific type of roster to reach his full potential. He is at his best when surrounded by talented shooters who can space the floor, as well as a supporting cast that is versatile enough to defend and complement his game. The Mavericks’ struggles in recent years have highlighted the difficulty of finding the perfect pieces around Dončić. The team has been searching for a second star to take some of the pressure off Luka, and yet the right combination of players has remained elusive.
In 2022, the Mavericks made a blockbuster trade to acquire Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets in hopes that pairing him with Luka would form one of the most dynamic backcourt duos in the NBA. While Irving’s talent is undeniable, his fit with Dončić has raised questions. The duo has struggled to find chemistry on the court, with some observers arguing that both players need the ball in their hands to be most effective. This has led to inconsistent offensive play, as opposing teams have often been able to exploit the lack of ball movement and spacing when both players are on the court together.
Moreover, the Mavericks have lacked the necessary defensive consistency to complement their offensive firepower. The team’s defense has been a point of concern for several seasons, and this issue became even more glaring during the 2023-2024 season. The Mavericks have struggled to contain opponents, especially in critical playoff games, and while the addition of Irving added offensive firepower, it did not address the team’s defensive deficiencies.
So, as the Mavericks face the 2024-2025 season, their task is clear: they need to bolster their roster in a way that maximizes Dončić’s abilities while addressing the areas of weakness that have held the team back. The clock is ticking, and the urgency is palpable.
Key Decisions Facing the Mavericks
As the Dallas Mavericks prepare for the 2024-2025 NBA season, there are several key decisions they must make that could determine the direction of the franchise:
- What to do with Kyrie Irving?
Kyrie Irving’s arrival in Dallas was a major move, one that brought considerable talent to the team. However, the partnership with Luka Dončić has been inconsistent, and Irving’s future with the Mavericks is uncertain. Despite his individual brilliance, Irving’s off-court distractions and the struggles to fit seamlessly alongside Luka have raised questions about whether the Mavericks should move forward with the duo or look to trade Irving to better balance the roster.
If the Mavericks do decide to part ways with Irving, they will need to find a suitable trade partner that can offer assets in return—whether that be a star player, young prospects, or draft picks. Irving’s departure could create room for a more complementary piece next to Dončić. However, moving Irving also comes with the risk of losing one of the league’s most talented offensive players and an ability to close games in clutch situations.
- Roster Construction: Adding Depth and Versatility
One of the Mavericks’ biggest challenges in recent seasons has been building depth around Dončić. The team has often relied too heavily on Luka to carry the load, which has led to inconsistency in their overall performance. The Mavericks need to address several areas to ensure they have the depth required to compete for a championship.
Wing depth is an area that needs attention. Dončić thrives when surrounded by versatile players who can stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and contribute offensively. The team has experimented with various combinations at the forward spots, but finding a player who can truly complement Luka has been elusive. A player like Matisse Thybulle, known for his defense, or a consistent three-point shooter with athleticism could help shore up that position.
Big man depth is another area where the Mavericks need improvement. While Christian Wood and Dwight Powell have provided solid minutes in the frontcourt, neither player is a consistent game-changer. The Mavericks could look to add a player who can protect the rim, rebound, and score efficiently inside. A player like Brook Lopez or Jakob Poeltl could provide the Mavericks with the defensive presence and offensive reliability needed to compete with the NBA’s best teams.
- Improving the Defense
For all of their offensive brilliance, the Mavericks have consistently been one of the league’s worst defensive teams. Luka Dončić, while a great player, is not known for his defense, and his partners on the perimeter and in the post have failed to consistently perform on that side of the ball. The Mavericks have repeatedly failed to match up against teams with superior defensive schemes, which has been a significant hindrance during playoff runs.
The Mavericks’ front office needs to focus on adding defensive-minded players, whether that’s in the form of experienced veterans who can anchor the defense or younger players who can develop under head coach Jason Kidd’s system. A greater commitment to team defense, both in transition and half-court situations, could help elevate the team and take pressure off Luka to perform on both ends of the floor.
- Coaching and System Adjustments
Head coach Jason Kidd has done a commendable job of managing the team and adjusting to the strengths of Luka Dončić, but moving forward, the Mavericks may need to fine-tune their system to maximize the current roster’s potential. With a more balanced offensive and defensive scheme, Kidd may need to focus on developing specific sets that get the most out of both Dončić and Irving—assuming Irving remains on the team. This could include better off-ball movement, ball-sharing schemes, and optimizing mismatches based on the strengths of individual players.
- Future of the Mavericks’ Draft Picks and Young Players
The Mavericks have a solid track record in drafting talent, but they’ll need to continue developing their younger players. Jaden Ivey, Jaden Hardy, and Josh Green have shown flashes of potential, but their consistency will be crucial if the Mavericks are to make a push for a championship. Building a strong core of young players who can grow alongside Luka Dončić could help extend the Mavericks’ window for title contention over the next several seasons.
The Path Ahead
The Dallas Mavericks have a limited window to build a championship-caliber team around Luka Dončić. While Luka’s talent is undeniable, he cannot carry the team alone—he needs a supporting cast that complements his skillset and addresses the team’s weaknesses. The Mavericks are officially on the clock, with the clock ticking down as they head into another season with high expectations but unresolved questions.
The decisions made over the next few months will shape the future of the franchise. Whether the Mavericks decide to keep Kyrie Irving, pursue new roster additions, or invest in their young talent, it will be critical to balance immediate needs with long-term sustainability. For Luka Dončić, the hope is that the Mavericks’ front office will find the right formula to maximize his incredible talent and bring a championship to Dallas.
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving NBA landscape, the Dallas Mavericks’ next steps could either propel them to the top or leave them searching for answers. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: the pressure is on, and the clock is ticking. The stakes have never been higher for the Mavericks and their star player, Luka Dončić.
