The Dallas Mavericks have been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. With a disappointing offseason, they are looking to salvage their season with a move that could see them acquire two-time All-Star guard Luka Doncic from the Atlanta Hawks.
The luka doncic contract extension is a rumor that has been floating around the internet, and it could be true. Luka Doncic could soon team up with a former All-Star guard, as the Dallas Mavericks look to salvage a somewhat disappointing offseason.
Every club wants to improve in the summer, and the Dallas Mavericks had high expectations for this year’s free agency. However, they have yet to have a significant impact in order to assist Luka Doncic compete for an NBA championship.
They may, however, be attempting to salvage part of the situation.
Isaiah Thomas, a former All-Star, was just worked out by the Mavs. Despite the fact that he is no longer a big-name player, the guard may still be a valuable addition to a Western Conference contender.
If he stays healthy, he’ll help Dallas fill a big void this season.
The Dallas Mavericks have experienced a less-than-stellar offseason.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns1C 1WTXvs
In recent years, it seemed like the Mavericks hoped to sign a big-name player like Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021. However, Antetokounmpo signed a contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, as did many of the other big-name players who were about to become free agents.
Dallas had a chance to sign another ball-handler this summer, such as Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul, or even Spencer Dinwiddie, but none of those choices worked out. Instead, the Mavericks signed Reggie Bullock, Sterling Brown, and Moses Brown, as well as Tim Hardaway Jr. and Boban Marjanovic, to new contracts.
Bullock is a good three-and-d player who should get along well with Luka Doncic, but he’s still not a playmaker for the offense. Last season, he averaged 10.9 points and 1.5 assists per game. Last season, though, Sterling Brown and Moses Brown each averaged about 8.5 points per game for their respective clubs.
In addition to the aforementioned changes, Doncic inked an agreement with Dallas earlier this offseason (the team’s greatest offseason move), and the franchise’s leadership changed from Rick Carlisle to Jason Kidd (its most questionable).
Despite all of these summer moves, the Mavericks still need another ball handler to complement Doncic and backup guard Jalen Brunson.
Thomas may be able to fill that need.
The Mavericks worked out with Isaiah Thomas.
Isaiah Thomas, Monta Ellis, and Lance Stephenson all worked out for the Mavericks recently, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who added that Thomas “appeared to be in excellent shape.” Thomas and Stephenson were allegedly “impressed,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix.
Thomas only participated in three games in 2020-21 and just 87 games since 2017-18, but we all know how good he is when he’s fit. He has a career average of 18.1 points and 4.9 assists, as well as two All-Star appearances. In 2016-17, the former Boston Celtics great also put up MVP-worthy numbers of 28.9 points and 5.9 assists.
But, once again, Thomas’ health is the main concern, since he hasn’t been the same since suffering a hip injury in 2017. According to CBS Sports, the guard claimed in April that he’s “102 percent” and feels “the best he’s ever felt since before” his injury.
Overall, no one expects Thomas to fully transform the Mavericks into a playoff contender, but he may provide a good scoring threat off the bench. In terms of bringing the ball up the court, the Washington product would relieve some of the burden on Doncic.
What about Stephenson and Ellis, then?
The former has always been a player who can light a fire under his teammates. He’s also a larger guard than Thomas, but he’s not a very good shooter or facilitator. Ellis, on the other side, was a dynamic scorer for the Golden State Warriors in 2009-10, averaging 25.5 points per game, but he’s nearly 36 years old and hasn’t played since 2016-17.
Thomas, if healthy, is the Mavs’ best option out of the three.
Instead, Luka Doncic may form a partnership with another guard.
On March 19, 2021, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks warms up before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. | Getty Images/Steph Chambers
None of the names listed above will matter if the Mavericks make just one move.
They should make an effort to sign Goran Dragic.
Although Dragic is now with the Toronto Raptors, he has been training with Luka Doncic. According to Sports Illustrated, the Raptors are likely to buy out his contract, and he will then join with the Mavs, according to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer.
Dragic would be a much better choice than the ones mentioned before. In his final two seasons with the Miami Heat, he averaged 14.9 points and 4.8 assists while leading them to the NBA Finals in 2020. Last season, the guard hit 37.3 percent from 3-point range.
Dragic would not be the kind of name Mavs supporters had hoped for, but he would instantly improve the club and help them become a Western Conference contender.
The Mavericks have had a dismal offseason so far, but they have a chance to turn things around by signing Dragic or perhaps Thomas. It’s possible that their next move will have playoff ramifications.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
RELATED: Luka Doncic Could Be Pressuring the Dallas Mavericks to Sign His Coach
Luka Doncic is a 19-year old basketball player who has been playing professionally for three years. He was born in Slovenia and played on the Real Madrid team before coming to the United States and playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Reference: where is luka doncic from.
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