With the Mavericks set to play the Knicks on Saturday for the first time this season, Jalen Brunson will get an opportunity to face his old team, while the Mavs will get the chance to see what they’ve been missing since losing the standout point guard in free agency over the summer.
Asked by Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News about whether the team regrets how Brunson’s free agency played out, Mavericks president of basketball operations Nico Harrison was quick to point out that Brunson’s departure “wasn’t our choice” and that Dallas made a competitive offer.
Still, as Tim Cato of The Athletic writes, there’s “no question (the Mavs) mishandled” the Brunson situation, given that they could’ve locked him up well before his free agency if they had been willing to offer a four-year extension worth approximately $56MM — the same deal Dorian Finney-Smith signed last season. By the time the Mavs put that extension (the most they could offer during the season) on the table for Brunson, he had outperformed it and was headed for a bigger payday on the open market.
In the wake of Brunson’s departure, the Mavs could have pursued a veteran free agent replacement – perhaps Goran Dragic – in July, but opted not to do so. Instead, they’ve used their 15th roster spot so far this season to audition veteran play-makers on non-guaranteed salaries. They began the season with Facundo Campazzo in that role and have since waived him to sign Kemba Walker.
Asked by Caplan whether the Mavs should have done more to address that third point guard spot in the summer, Harrison said it’s easy to second-guess the team’s thinking, but that he still has confidence in the current roster.
“You can look back at it and say that, but I also have faith in the guys that we have here,” Harrison said. “… Guys haven’t made shots, but we’ve seen them do it, and I have faith in them. I think if guys make shots just at the rate or slightly below what they normally do, we’re not even having this conversation. I think that erases a lot of the doubt or the feeling that we’re not quite achieving what the expectations would’ve been. The law of averages, they eventually equal out, and guys will make shots.”
Here are a few more of the most noteworthy quotes from Harrison’s Q&A with Caplan, which is worth checking out in full if you’re a Mavs fan:
On his thoughts about the Mavericks’ up-and-down performance so far this season:
“It’s no secret — we’ve lost some bad games, and we haven’t played good on the road, and our guys who shoot the ball well haven’t shot well. If you add those three up, I’m not surprised where we’re at, but I wouldn’t have expected all three of those things to happen.”
On whether the Mavs felt the need to use the 15th roster spot to address a lack of ball-handling rather than leaving it open:
“I just think it’s one of those things that you’re just constantly evaluating the team. When you see that there’s a hole, then you’ve got to try to fill it. I mean, you say lack of ball-handling, but at the end of the day, whoever that person is that we bring in, whether it was Facu or whether it was whoever, it’s not like they’re in the regular rotation. If we have one of the best, one of the best point guards in the league who’s one of the highest usage rates, it’s kind of a gift and a curse.”
On the Mavs’ expectations for Kemba Walker:
“I don’t think there’s any expectations, really. One, I hope his body holds up. I think that’s the first and foremost thing. I hope his body holds up. If it does, he’s a veteran guy. One, he’s an amazing person — I think that’s the point. He’s an amazing person. He’s been through everything in the league. He obviously can handle the ball and everybody knows he’s an ex-All-Star. I won’t even say ex-All-Star. He’s an All-Star. He’s a scorer. Adding that veteran presence for if and when we need it ready will be helpful.”
“If we have one of the best, one of the best point guards in the league who’s one of the highest usage rates, it’s kind of a gift and a curse.”
Unusual statement about someone who is an MVP candidate. Every player has weaknesses but to call it a curse. Unfortunate phrasing which I hope does not cause a rift.
He’s probably pointing to the fact that over using one player is too one dimensional. Same as Jordan’s first few years before they went to triangle play and he won a chip on lower usage and stats.
It’s also likely he said it because if a FA star looks at Mavs they’ll see Luka and his greedy usage and think “why would I go there to drop my numbers and be a 2nd to Luka”.
To me Luka another star and a good defender or two is a contender, as long as Luka shares, but it’s difficult to construct when all stars want the ball, look at how kid has used wood(a 20-10 player). And how Brunson was under utilised. Neither are top guys but they’re both used better on other teams.
Jw – I’ve been a bit surprised Cuban has handicapped the roster as much as he has with long term deals to some pretty fringy players
It would be fine if they would all have par or above value like DfS but other than him they are going to have a hard time finding the assets for a 2 nd premier player even. If /when that time comes -For somebody so advanced in capital venture I’ve found this interesting he goes this route With his basketball team
I agree with you, not fighting for Brunson was a bad call, he’s not a 2nd on a contender, but he is a good centre piece to move for one. It is odd the players that got extensions in dal in recent memory. But the saving grace is how young Luka is and how long he’s locked up for.
If I was in their shoes, and Mavs are around or below .500 by TD(which is a 50/50 with how the west is shaping up). I’d move all contributors and go on the asset trail, 23 draft is pretty strong, and if they move some salary FA over the next couple years might give them a chance to construct a better team around the Kid.
Nico is neglecting other obvious flaws in the roster construction. Rebounding and defense has been among the worst in the league. It’s not just a ball handling/penetration issue. They frequently deal away future draft picks to try and plug holes since they struggle to lure free agents. DFW locals are fed up with Mark Cuban because he only cares about his bottom line. He publicly expressed remorse over letting Tyson Chandler and JJ Barea go after their lone championship with Dirk, because he pinched pennies. Yet the same thing happened with Jalen Brunson …. if the Mavs don’t turn things around quickly, they may have to blow up the roster, because they can’t afford to wait two years for their bad contracts to get off the books and be able to reload from the back half of the draft.
Translation.
It’s time to break up the Mavs. Going Utah on that azz style.
DAL doesn’t really have the assets to pursue a second “star” (whatever that means), and that might be blessing (vs a curse). Alone, I doubt it would be enough for a categorical upgrade (although it might matter who that star is). Bottom line is Luka is still a young player, and still testing the outer boundaries of his own special abilities. When he’s had enough of that, and tires of coming up short, his teams will better maximize the talent they have. At that point, they can add a second star if needed, although it’s as likely that he’ll already be there. Kidd can really him if he stays around.
Sooner or later, Luka will eventually be fed up with Cuban’s barrage of empty promises and demand a trade. Why not hit the reset button and trade the Mavericks’ meal ticket for a boatload of draft picks to any willing buyer. Plus with the constant dysfunction around the Mavs’ front office and coaching staff, speaking as a frustrated Mavericks fan, it’s best for the team to throw in the towel on this season and hop aboard the #BrickforVic bandwagon. If not Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson, there’s tons of good prospects in this upcoming draft which is supposed to be very deep. The Mavericks need a fresh start altogether, and I’m sick of the team being stuck perennial playoff purgatory and missing out on top free agents every summer.
P.S. Sell the team, Cuban! You’re not a cool owner as you think you are.
Last year almost made it to the finals, so let’s just say that DAL is a top 4 team in the league with the best player in the league… not the time to blow it, right?
Did Mr Cuban peedle on your poodle or something?
Doncic is a stat padder and stat padders usually get exposed in the playoffs. He’s another ball hog like Westbrook and Harden. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mavs miss the playoffs this yeat.
This style of play is not sustainable. Mavs look worse than last year and not having another playmaker like Brunson is hurting them.
I would go after demar derozan. Brunson was a shot creator and could hit mid range shots. Dallas I think is 2nd to last in 2pt shots per game. Roman fills the Brunson void. Chicago is struggling. Maybe they take on some expiring contracts like Powell and bullock (next year is non guaranteed) and future picks. Chicago clears an extra ~28m going into next offseason and can bulid around zach lavine. Demar isn’t getting any younger for that bulls team
Dragic would have been an improvement for Dalas. I don’t think Dragic wanted to play in Dallas. I think he thought there would be more opportunity in Chicago. He was sorta right. He’d be playing regular in Dallas too though. Chicago is not letting go of their poor-mans Manu Ginobli while Ball is out. They need all the Dragic he can give
A one man team. Will never win. The sooner he figures that out. The better for Mavs. Luka needs to just be a closer. The stats will be there. I think they should start Powell and Woods.
Brunson needed mins. Mavs know they can’t give it to him. So why pay him. They went after Woods instead. A big need for them. Knicks got a solid young PG. Who can now find his real gm. A big need for them.