The Mavs can't make the mistake of thinking they're close

[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

They are close. They need a shot blocking rim running center. They need a reliable 3 point shooter at the 3-4 tweener position so that they can still run their system when Bullock and Finney-Smith go cold. Bullock and Finny-Smith and Klieber and Bertans are good enough shooters for what the Mavericks do but they are too streaky. Having this added shooter backing up Finny-Smith and Bullock would take some minutes from them and help keep them fresh to play full tilt on defense and not worry about fouls.

The salary cap might make it a problem to Acquire players and I can’t make up players. They can only get players that actually exist and are available.

[Da ThRONe]

To clarify my earlier comment. It's not that Doncic isn't a phenomenal talent its his current play style that's going to prevent the Mavs from becoming a championship contender IMO. I think this is the farthest they'll get with Luka unless he improves drastically defensely and he learns to play more off ball. He's basically Houston's Harden 2.0. It didn't work for Houston and I doubt it'll work for Dallas. Say what you will about Porzingis and he clearly underperformed in Dallas, but KP couldn't get away from Luka fast enough. I'd imagine most player Kristap's tier or higher will not want to be downgraded to floor spacer while Luka dribbles the air out of the ball.

Plus the West will almost certainly be much tougher with a list of Leonard, George, Davis, James, Murray, Porter, Williamson, Lillard etc being healthy. I just don't see logically how Dallas doesn't fall back provided we don't see guys bouncing back from their health issues or are traded to the East.

[whatisacenter]

It's a bummer for the Mavs that they don't have a FRP this year and possibly next season to add to the roster.

What happened to Dallas' pick this year? Did Pinson's bench antics lead to a forfeiture?

They have their pick. But its 26. And expecting that player to come in and be ready to a playoff rotation player is pretty optimistic.

Next year they don't have their own pick, unless they pick in the top 10, but that would mean something went terribly wrong, so yeah don't expect Dallas to have it.

my bad! I thought they traded this years pick away.

I actually think there are some nice players in the late first round who could provide some help.

[Pointgod]

Ok, let's say they need some "major" upgrades to their roster.

Exactly how do they go about getting them? If the guys they have aren't good enough, how are they going to get other players for them? As far as I know they don't have any high draft picks. Is their cap space in good shape to get a "major" upgrade?

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Their cap isn't in good shape. The Mavs are already over the luxury tax for next season and that's without Brunson. There aren't many routes for them to improve besides getting lucky.

The Mavs have 30-35 million in expiring contracts next year that can provide cap relief. THJ is movable, so it Dinwiddie. The only unmovable contract is Bertans. They should be open to a reverse Porzingis trade where they get a flawed allstar. They have pieces they can move, if I’m a playoff team I’d rather have THJ then a pick in the 20’s, Joe Harris or any of Duncan Robinson. The Mavs should be laser focused on keeping their draft picks moving forward and be open to paying the luxury tax if it means getting that second option, even if it’s not a splashy name

[JujitsuFlip]

Amazing run for the Mavs, but I hope their success this year doesn't lead the front office to thinking this roster is Championship caliber. I think they need to make some major upgrades to the roster.

I agree with this, can't go full Atlanta and get comfortable and complacent.

[moderndarwin]

They also need to fix that arena it’s a mess

[picc]

Zach Lavinr would be really good for them. A bigger wing who can play on or off ball, good shooter. I like Brunson but his size was a definite problem for the Mavs on both ends. A s&t could be a possibility.

[Eric Bieniemy]

Do stars/really good players want to play with Doncic? Serious question.

[xdrta+]

They also need to fix that arena it’s a mess

One good roofer could take care of that part of their problems.

[dc]

Amazing run for the Mavs, but I hope their success this year doesn't lead the front office to thinking this roster is Championship caliber. I think they need to make some major upgrades to the roster.

I agree with this, can't go full Atlanta and get comfortable and complacent.

Different situations, though. At this point, Luka is jut far ahead of Trae now. A bonafide Top 5 and probably Top 3 player. Guy can legitimately take over games in a MJ/Kobe/Lebron way.

Problem for the Mavs right now is they're capped out and don't have assets (partially due to the trades to get Luka and Porzingis in the 1st place). It'll be hard for them to make a significant move, not that it's impossible, but the front office has to get really creative.

IMO, they shouldn't overpay to make marginal improvements that will further clog up the cap in future years. In the event their front office can't turn nothing into something, they'd be wise to just tell Luka "Hey, just stick with it for a couple years before our cap clears up", then get some more legit talent around him. If the Mavs and Luka are patient, they can get the necessary talent just as he's 25-26 and entering his prime.

[thamadkant]

Sign and Trade Brunson to Knicks for Randle..