Acquiring a point guard is one of the top priorities for the Mavericks in the 2025 offseason, writes Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. With star Kyrie Irving recovering from ACL surgery and not expected to get back on the court until at least January, the team will need help at the position this fall.
In a mailbag for the Morning News, Curtis discusses how Chris Paul will likely be a name to watch for Dallas, citing NBA Insider Marc Stein who listed him as a potential option along with Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday. The latter two players are still under contract but their respective teams may entertain offers for them, given roster construction and salary cap considerations.
After a rocky season as a part-time starter for the Suns, Curtis doesn’t consider upcoming unrestricted free agent Tyus Jones a serious target, writing, “Jones has proven he can run an offense, but there are better options on the market this offseason.”
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- Dennis Smith Jr. is set to work out with the Mavericks next week as part of a veteran mini-camp, notes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. The athletic, defensive-minded guard is just one of a number of free agents who will take part in the mini-camp, but he could fill a need for the Dallas team that drafted him in 2017 and help complement the team’s budding defensive identity. Smith recently participated in a similar camp for the Sixers.
- One name to watch as the Spurs continue to search for stars to put around Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox is Jaylen Brown, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix said during an NBC Sports Boston appearance (YouTube link). While Giannis Antetokounmpo has been linked to the Spurs, Mannix believes the price they’d have to pay to acquire the Bucks star would reduce their title window more drastically than they’d be comfortable with, which could lead them to look for targets that would cost a little less. “I think if you’re Boston, you’re not going to… get a Stephon Castle in a potential Jaylen Brown (trade),” Mannix said. “You would get a No. 2 pick back in return, you would get some of the pieces… the Devin Vassells, the Keldon Johnsons, future first-round capital. That’s something I’d watch.” There’s no indication at this point that the Celtics will make Brown available.
- The Pelicans conducted pre-draft workouts for UNC’s RJ Davis, Arkansas’ Johnell Davis, Wisconsin’s Steven Crowl, and Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson, reports The Athletic’s Will Guillory (via Twitter). Of the four players, UNC’s Davis ranks the highest on ESPN’s top-100 board, coming in at 93rd.
- New Pelicans president of basketball operations Joe Dumars views the two teams in the NBA Finals as reasons to believe New Orleans can follow a similar small-market path, writes Rod Walker of NOLA.com. The first step in that process is building the proper culture and making the team feel like a first-class organization. “Taking care of the players. Taking care of their families. The way you do business. The way you travel. Everything. People have to feel good about coming into the building,” Dumars said.
Huh? Hardy is not the only ball handler under contract for the Mavs. Brandon Williams is also under contract, as is Naji Marshall who ran the offense as a point forward late in the season. And Hardy is more of a SG than a PG.
You are correct but none of those players are ideal as a starter going forward. I think Ball would be a good get but not sure about the salary and what we would have to give up.
100% agree… the short term options needed before Irvin’s return are in-house. No need to go for the likes of Ball
Lonzo would be a nice pickup for the Mavs
Any chance Dallas drafts Dylan Harper over Cooper Flagg as that’ll help them cover Kyrie.
Kyrie is 33 and coming off a massive injury with only 1 year left on his contract.
Maybe if not, what’s the chances of a trade with the Spurs at second overall?
Spurs also have the 14th pick they could offer? Plus they don’t exactly suit Harper cause they have Fox and Castle whereas Cooper at the 4 would be perfect.
Then the Mavs get the 14th spot which could grab them anything.
Spurs with Fox Castle Cooper Wemby that’d be a future dynasty.
Mavs, Kyrie Klay Martin AD Lively then Harper Christie Clifford Naji Gafford
Having to face flagg in division if you’re the mavs ??
Actually sounds like a move the GM would consider … let’s piss off the fan base even more