The Dallas Mavericks are anticipated to carry out effectively because the reigning Western Convention champions.
Nevertheless, they presently sit seventh within the Western Convention with a 23-19 document halfway by means of the 2024-25 NBA season.
The Mavericks have handled their fair proportion of accidents, most notably to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, however stay aggressive each evening beneath head coach Jason Kidd.
Dallas grew to become a contender the second it traded for Irving from the Brooklyn Nets.
Buying and selling for Irving was thought of dangerous on the time because of the star guard’s off-court conduct.
Irving’s time with the Nets got here to an unceremonious finish after he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine and different off-the-court drama that tainted his picture.
Years after the commerce went down, Irving supplied some sincere ideas on the state of affairs by way of Noah Weber of The Smoking Cuban.
“Finest commerce within the enterprise, child. We gained that commerce! I used to be ‘unhealthy items,” Irving stated.
Kyrie Irving on the Nets-Mavs commerce:
“Finest commerce within the enterprise child. We gained that commerce! I used to be ‘unhealthy items.’”
(by way of @noahweber00) pic.twitter.com/Rr86EiT2i6
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 18, 2025
Irving shows some self-awareness concerning the deal, as few groups lined as much as commerce for him following his antics.
At his greatest, although, Irving is a real needle-mover who can play as an overqualified No. 2 choice on a title crew and lead it in spurts.
One of many greatest query marks with Irving is his means to remain on the courtroom.
Whereas he’s handled some nagging accidents this previous season, he’s well worth the upside.
Dallas took an enormous gamble by taking up Irving, however to this point, it’s labored out.
He has the crew able to compete for a title this yr and doubtlessly past.
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