Just so we’re clear, the Dallas Mavericks absolutely won the trade with the Atlanta Hawks that saw them land Luka Doncic, who will surely be named NBA Rookie of the Year on Monday. My colleague and friend Richie Whitt left the door open in a recent column the Hawks might be justified in claiming victory in the trade based on landing Trae Young and Duke’s Cam Reddish.
Maybe that’s what Atlanta actually thinks, but neither of those players have the ability to transform a team like Doncic. In a suddenly wide-open Western Conference, Doncic is the Mavs’ best hope for building a perennial contender. I have already offered my dissenting voice on a soon-to-be 35-year-old LeBron James and Anthony Davis being handed the title with the Lakers. This bumbling organization is capable of screwing this up, and allowing young teams such as the Nuggets, Blazers, Jazz and yes, the Mavs, into the discussion.
I don’t know if anyone besides me is saying it, but this is the most important free agency period in the history of the Mavericks. If this team can land a third shooter to go along with Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas is poised to become a legitimate threat in the West. I know our local media has been shooting down this potential Al Horford signing, but I wouldn’t rule it out. He knows a $30 million-per-year deal is waiting on him somewhere, and he would be an ideal veteran player to help Doncic and Porzingis. It feels like Kemba Walker is a complete reach, and I don’t think Klay Thompson has any desire to leave his pal Steph Curry.
The best fit would be the Bucks’ Khris Middleton, but I think he understands playing second fiddle to the Greek Freak is not a bad situation. I would have Mark Cuban make the case Middleton would be featured in a bigger market in the same state where he played for Texas A&M. The Mavs have desperately needed more shooters for years, and Middleton would be a better fit than either Walker or Horford. If the Mavs added Middleton, you go from a fringe playoff team to a potential top-4 seed in the West. That’s why I wouldn’t waste a minute thinking about Thompson or Kevin Durant. This is the one time in Middleton’s career he can command a huge payday, so he might as well explore all options.
Donnie Nelson traded down in Thursday’s draft to pick up two future second-round picks. I don’t get the sense the Mavs think Isaiah Roby of Nebraska fame is going to make an immediate impact, so moving down was about accumulating assets. I believe Nelson and Cuban realize a window has suddenly opened in the West. It would be ridiculous to defer to the Lakers, given their recent tomfoolery. The Jazz, Blazers and Nuggets are built to hang around for a few years. The Mavs need to strike now.
What may have looked like a 3-to-4-year process suddenly looks much different. The next week will be among the most important in Mavs history. Coming up empty would be shameful.
