Dallas and Washington Offseason guides

The Dallas Mavericks had a more than impressive run throughout the NBA playoffs. It saw them as favorites in their first round matchup against the Clippers, which they defeated 4-2. They then faced their second toughest team in the postseason in the Thunder and beat them in a back and forth series 4-2. In the Western Conference finals they demolished the Timberwolves in 5 games that included demoralizing the Timberwolves home crowd in game 5. Finally, they lost in an overmatched battle against the Celtics in the finals. So what does all of this mean for Dallas now? They are now in a position in which they can improve the roster around the second best player in the league and one of the best playoff performers we have seen. I wanted to start this by reviewing the two most important pieces for the Mavericks franchise in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. First, to begin with Doncic, the Mavs drafted him after switching with the Hawks in the 2018 draft to acquire the 3rd overall pick.  Ironically, the Hawks landed Trae Young in that trade and much of the NBA discourse has connected those two careers to figure out who was the better option. I believe the better option was Doncic and it was not close. Sorry Hawks fans, but obviously recent history indicates this. From there Doncic had a phenomenal start to his career by winning rookie of the year in 2018-2019 and from there he jumped into conversation as one of the better players in the entire league. His resume is insane at just a young age; not only in the NBA but also in his previous professional stops in Europe. Doncic is a 5-time first team all NBA selection and is presumably a top 3 NBA player. As impressive as his regular season awards are, his postseason stats are even more gaudy. He’s a stone cold killer that no team wants to see in the postseason. Ask anyone on the Clippers, Timberwolves, or Suns if they want to see that dude in the next 10 years. They’ll do anything to avoid that guy. He destroyed the Clippers in back-to-back series in the bubble and the year after. If Kawhi doesn’t go bananas in games 6 and 7 in 2021 they could easily have been in the conference finals 3 of the last 4 years. The underrated part of Luka’s game though is his passing and how he absolutely demands all eyes on him from teams and fans. He torches any scheme in front of him for 48 minutes a game. On top of that, he’ll let any fan in the area know he’s destroying your team as well. However, this is all included in the fact he is not a good defender and at times calling him not a good defender is sugar coating it. This playoff run exposed the fact he was not a high enough level defender for the Mavericks to overcome the Celtics. Then again, the Celtics were the Celtics this year. I understand that Doncic was injured and I’m not gonna sit here and act like his injuries didn't affect him.  But, every team in the playoffs deals with injuries. It's just part of playoff basketball. However, I guarantee you that any player would like to have an NBA title with a couple bumps and bruises as opposed to nothing. Now, Luka does need to improve his defense and stop the constant complaining to the officials during games. I understand you’re not telling Luka to defend the other team's best player or any decent player for the fact, but he just needs to be average. The bottom line is he’s a top 3 player in the league and Mavs can 100% win a title within the next 3 years with him just now starting to enter his prime.

Now is time for the Kyrie Irving reinvention. He forced his way out of essentially his last three teams all for different reasons. His Cavs exit was highlighted by the fact he didn’t want to play second fiddle to Lebron anymore and wanted to lead a team. His Boston departure was displayed all over the most recent NBA finals and he blew up arguably the best offensive team of all time over a vaccine. I’m not saying any of these are his fault, but he didn’t do anything to help his case. When the Mavs finally traded for him at the 2022 deadline, his trade value couldn’t have been lower and the Mavs got him for an absolute steal. He’s reinvented himself and he’s back to playing off the ball next to Luka and he’s thriving in that role. After a disappointing end to the 2022-2023 season that saw Dallas openly tank and end up getting Dereck Lively via a trade with the Thunder in the 2023 NBA draft, Irving showed the leadership that was absent during his tenure in Boston. He showed the maturity that at times was lacking in his career and it catapulted Dallas into the Western Conference playoff picture. He was the perfect co-star next to Luka and showed up time and time again throughout the season and in the playoffs. His demeanor was exemplary of the Mavs play throughout the postseason. They were consistently coming back from large deficits the entire postseason and Irving, as well as Doncic, wase scrappy enough to climb back in many of those games. However, as great as both of those guys' seasons were, they still fell short of winning the finals. 

The highlight of the Mavs season was the trade deadline that saw the team acquire PJ Washington from the Charlotte Hornets and Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards. They didn’t have to give up much for them either, shipping out Grant Williams (what a tenure he had) and a first round pick along with some younger guys to both the teams. These moves saw them drastically improve their defense, efforts from Kyrie and Doncic also helped, and helped position them to get out of the play-in and into the playoffs. Overall, the pieces acquired fit perfectly next to both Doncic and Irving. Washington is an improving defender, who took on many tough challenges throughout the postseason, and he can space the floor as well. Gafford helped bolster the interior depth and paired with Lively to create a potent above-the-rim alley oop companion for Doncic. His rim protection also allowed the others on the Mavericks to feel less pressure about keeping the ball in front and disrupted many of the offenses of opposing teams. Along with acquiring these two, Derrick Jones Jr. was a big hit in free agency along with Dante Exum and the improving development of both Josh Green and Jaden Hardy helped fill a roster that was extremely dangerous with two of the best scorers and creators in basketball at the controls.

Important offseason moves for Dallas include resigning Derrick Jones Jr., adding depth on the front court, filling out the roster with more shooting, and another ball handler and creator to fill in for Doncic and Irving. To start, Dallas does not have much draft capital available. They have the last pick of the entire draft and only 2 first round picks available until 2031. On top of that, they are pressed against the cap for going over the first apron which is likely to happen if they re-sign Jones Jr. and keep a majority of the roster. However, Exum’s deal for 3.15 million is non-guaranteed which can free up the space needed for signing Jones to the mid level exemption and staying flexible financially. Jaden Hardy's development is also something to keep an eye on. He played important minutes for them this postseason and could potentially be an answer as ball handler and creator next to Luka and Kyrie. The final move they should make this offseason would be finding a partner for Tim Hardaway Jr. it's no secret they’ve wanted to get his contract off the books for some time now (16.1 million) and they can pair the two first round picks they have in order to land a player that elevates the roster. As long as Kyrie and Luka are on the roster with the necessary talent they can make a run any year. 

Next on our list is the Washington Wizards, and, oh my gosh, were they hard to watch this season (Trail Blazers and Pistons I’m also looking at you). The beginning of their season started when they gained Jordan Poole in a trade that sent an aging Chris Paul to Golden State and helped euthanize the roster, a move that was much needed. They also traded Bradley Beal to the Suns in a return that was pretty weak although it was both not the Wizards fault and their own at the same time. Included in Beal’s contract was a no trade clause that didn’t help the Wizards maximize the return on Beal from the Suns. If Beal felt the Suns were giving up too much to acquire him he’d simply reject the trade. Overall, trading Beal signaled a fresh start for the franchise, which isn’t far removed from making the playoffs. However, retooling and hitting on draft picks is what the current font office needs to emphasize this offseason and in the future. Acquiring picks is vital for the front office in order to turn the franchise around. However, they’re off to a good start with their pick last year. If one word could summarize what the Wizards need next year, it's development and it’s from the young core they’ve assembled. Bilal Coulibaly was a successful first round pick; he showed flashes of being a capable shooter which was a big question mark for him coming into last year's draft. On top of that he’s long, athletic, and extremely young. He’s still only 19 years old by the way. The young core of him, Kuzma, Poole, and Avdija gives Wizards fans some hope going into the new era. Poole obviously had a rough year, which included him getting benched. But I still believe he can help the team win games. Kuzma is an intriguing player considering his size. Sure, he had some difficult games to watch this year, but this is a team that won 15 games this year. I’d understand if certain Wizards’ fans wanted to trade him in a couple of years for draft assets to retool the roster if they hit on a couple of draft picks, but that’s wishful thinking with the  current state of the franchise. Besides, keeping a guy like this on the roster always helps the current team. Avdija had an extremely productive year and showed real signs of becoming a very solid starter for the team in the future. I know that sounds like a backhanded compliment, but this should be exciting if you’re a Wizards fan. He finished 6th in most improved voting, seeing his average jump to 14 points a game after being below 10 his previous years in the league. This also included a 43 point career high against the Pelicans in February, a month that really put a stamp on his improved development. Another highlight of his improvement is the shooting, especially from three. He shot 37.1 percent on just 3 attempts a game, but this jump is impressive considering his lack of shooting in previous years. Among the other younger guys, the Wizards also have a Jordan Poole. I only say a Jordan Poole because he is one of the most entertaining yet hardest players to watch in the league. Because when he’s on, it’s fun to watch. But the bad is absolutely unwatchable. His play shined for the Warriors during the 2022 finals championship run, but his last season with the team was filled with drama even before the season started. Getting his 120 million, 4-year contract could’ve also signaled some signs of contentment with where he was in the league. However, a new start in D.C was good for him. I understand he was benched, however, I believe he gained a new level of focus. The rebound of going from the championship pedigree of the Warriors to the seemingly directionally challenged Wizards. (that was not intended to come off as a negative). But it’s the reality of the situation. The Wizards indicated to the league they were tanking as soon as Bradly Beal was traded, something that should’ve happened long before this past off season. However, I think the Wizards on the same page now. Obviously both sides want this situation to work and Poole should have the keys to run an offense and learn how to. The final part of the Wizards young core should include what to do with Corey Kispert and his rookie extension. To me, why in the world wouldn’t you sign him to it? I admit I don't know the exact numbers he’d get in an extension, but you do need players on the roster and the Wizards aren’t anywhere near going into the luxury tax or first apron, nor should they be. Kispert is a good player for them, plays hard, and is a smart, intelligent player who can shoot the ball extremely well and there’s nothing wrong with having one of those guys on your roster. He is a little bit older considering he’s a 4 year college player, but that’s the benefit of when they come into the league you’re almost losing an entire contract with them in exchange for a ready now player. 

Now, time to get to the most important part of the Wizards offseason, the draft. The Wizards nearly saw themselves winning the lottery, but at the same time maybe you want the luck of next year's lottery. Overall, I think 4 players fill the roles the Wizards are looking for in Stephon Castle, Zachary Rissacher, Alexandre Sarr, and Donovan Clingnan. Overall, the good thing about the Wizards is they just draft who they deem best available. I understand if that gives Wizard fans PTSD to the Johnny Davis selection a couple of years ago. However, the important thing for the Wizards is they have to hit on this pick. Maybe there’s a little less pressure considering this class is considered weak, but we don’t know it’s considered weak until 4 or 5 years down the line. Until then you’re considered the team who missed on their pick. Just ask the Warriors about the 2020 draft with Wiseman. However, there’s a little less pressure considering they’ll probably be drafting in a similar position next season. If I’m drafting, I want Sarr, if available, or Castle. I think both provide an immediate positional need and they are the best available along with the most potential upside. Along with the second overall pick, they have another in the late first round and another in the second. At this point, getting any type of young player to develop should be their goal. If they feel the need to take the best available 3 or 4 year college player I’m not gonna bash them for it. The main goal should be nailing down the draft and then doing it again the following year because, if they don’t, the bottom of the NBA can be a dark place to stay for a long period of time.

Overall, I think Wizard fans should feel optimistic about the future. Any team that’s actively trying to get younger should. Having cap space along with hitting on draft picks is the most important step for a rebuilding team in the NBA. Look at the current Thunder roster. There’s no reason that should suggest the Wizards can’t do that. It might take longer than usual, but just remember, they landed right on the John Wall selection in 2010 and again on Bradley Beal in 2012 and had a loaded backcourt with a good roster around them that saw some playoff success. Ultimately the Wizards next two or three years come down to how well they develop their current talent (again sorry for the Johnny Davis stray, but he won’t be in the future plans) and how well they hit on draft picks. Yes, you could say that for any team in the league, but it’s most significant for Washington’s future. 

Any news that involves the Mavericks or the Wizards after this article is posted will be recapped in a post prior to the season’s start.