Vincent Frank
The Dallas Mavericks are finally coming to the realization that a spot in the NBA Playoffs just isn’t happening.
Just over two months after acquiring Kyrie Irving in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas needs a miracle to make the postseason. In fact, the team must win its final two games (at home against the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs) while seeing the Oklahoma City Thunder lose Sunday’s finale against the Memphis Grizzlies.
It’s in this that Jason Kidd and Co. are already throwing in the towel for the 2022-23 season. The Mavericks announced that Kyrie Irving (right foot recovery), Josh Green (rest), Tim Hardaway Jr. (left ankle soreness) and Maxi Kleber (right hamstring recovery) are all out for Friday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls. Star guard Luka Doncic and backup center JaVale McGee are probable.
There are so many facets to this announcement. First off, why would Dallas suit up Doncic if the team is pretty much indicating that the playoffs are out of reach? Why play him when those four other big-time contributors have already been ruled out?
The Dallas Mavericks are 14-15 since they acquired Irving from Brooklyn. It has led to widespread questions about whether the enigmatic guard is a good fit with franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic. As an impending free agent, it remains to be seen whether Irving will return to Big D next season.
At the very least, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban seemed to throw some cold water on that idea recently by refusing to conclude that the NBA champion is a max-contract player.
Related: Dallas Mavericks are in a free fall in Western Conference, but it’s not Kyrie Irving’s fault
Dallas Mavericks angling for NBA Draft position, not the playoffs
That’s the obvious backdrop here. General manager Nick Harrison and Co. view the Play-In Tournament as an unlikely scenario. Rather, it’s all about Dallas setting itself up better for the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft.
Dallas is currently tied with Chicago for the 10th lottery spot in June’s draft. The Mavs have a top-10 protected pick owed to the New York Knicks stemming from the Kristaps Porzingis trade eons ago.
You can do the math here. A win by Dallas against the aforementioned Bulls pushes them outside of the top 10 in the lottery, likely leading to the selection heading to New York. A loss makes it more likely that Dallas retains its lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
