This is the most productive postseason the Dallas Mavericks have had since the 2011 title team. The Golden State Warriors’ dynasty has fallen before our very eyes. Kevin Durant was leaving this team even before the Warriors shamed him into losing a season of his prime due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Now, the great Klay Thompson will miss much of next season with a torn ACL.
This is not something Mark Cuban and the Mavericks would’ve rooted for, but it’s something they have to capitalize on immediately. The Los Angeles Lakers have sent shockwaves across the Western Conference by trading for Anthony Davis, but I’m not certain a 34-year-old LeBron James and Davis are a duo poised to take over the NBA.
It gives me pause that Las Vegas immediately made the Lakers favorites to reach the Finals, but I think that has a lot to do with the hype surrounding the trade. The Lakers still have to put a team together, and most of their young core (as well as their No. 4 pick) is now in New Orleans. This trade has temporarily helped the Lakers save face after two months of complete embarrassment. James will have at least one more shot of returning to the Finals, which is good for the NBA.
But the Mavs are also aided by the dysfunction coming from the Rockets. An ESPN.com story Monday by Tim MacMahon painted the picture of a franchise in turmoil due to a fracture in the relationship of superstars James Harden and Chris Paul. I believe Paul’s max contract has become a drain on the organization when you combine it with his constant complaining. The reason the Rockets had any chance of competing with the Warriors was because of Harden, so Paul’s whining seems misplaced.
A story emerged during the Finals that Rockets GM Daryl Morey was open to trading any of his players. Morey, who I’ve known for years, said Monday that Paul will return to the Rockets and all will be well between the superstars. I’m not so sure. If a team, like say the Lakers, showed any inclination toward Paul, I think Morey would consider moving him.
All of this plays right into the Mavs’ hands. They already have Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis ready to form the most intriguing European duo in NBA history. The Mavs have the flexibility to add a free agent. This team is literally a Khris Middleton away from competing for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
I watch an enormous amount of League Pass, so I can tell you exactly what’s about to happen with talented young teams like the Blazers, Jazz and Nuggets. What I can tell you is that none of those teams has a player like Doncic playing point guard. And while my beloved Nuggets have Nikola Jokic at center, he has no shot at guarding a healthy Porzingis.
Everyone is focusing on the Lakers, Rockets, Warriors and Pelicans right now, but the Mavericks are the team that may benefit the most from Saturday’s trade. This is the first time the West has been wide open in six years, and Dallas has somehow positioned itself to make a major move.
If Porzingis can recapture the greatness we saw in New York, there’s really no reason why he and Doncic can’t challenge Davis and the aging James. I understand LeBron is one of the greatest players of all-time, but time is not on his side. Doncic and Porzingis are both on the verge of superstardom. If they somehow landed a running mate like Middleton or Kemba Walker, we’d be talking about a team that could challenge the Lakers.
I understand Denver, Utah, Houston, New Orleans and even the forgotten Spurs feel like they are back in the picture, but the Mavs could be right there. The balance of power in the NBA has shifted before our very eyes. Dallas should take its best shot, even if that includes the great Kawhi Leonard.
If it can happen in Toronto, it can happen anywhere. We always dreaded the post-Dirk era. But somehow, the prospects look better than ever.
