The unfortunate part of the Dallas Mavericks' 2024-25 season is they are still recovering from the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade with the Los Angeles Lakers two weeks later.
Although the Mavericks have won four of the last five games, it still doesn't seem real that Doncic isn't a Maverick anymore. However, heading into the All-Star Break having won back-to-back games, was a strong and efficient way for the team to have momentum and confidence for the final stretch of the season.
However, even with a 30-26 record in a talented Western Conference, the Mavericks still have their hopes of winning a championship this season. Even with these championship dreams that started before way this season, there is one area that is now hurting the Mavericks that some may not have realized happened when Doncic was traded.
Mavericks' guard depth is a major concern that could change everything
Although Kyrie Irving is a superstar point guard and former 2022 playoff hero Spencer Dinwiddie has had plenty of big moments this season, the Mavericks' depth at point guard might not be enough to win the 2025 NBA Finals.
Despite being built more like a small forward, Doncic would play the point guard position like LeBron James does with his size. Doncic would run the offense with Irving next to him at the shooting guard. Now that Doncic is gone, the pressure of running the offense will have to go through Irving and Dinwiddie, and both of them could have a difficult time together to manage point guard depth.
While Dallas also has Dante Exum to play behind Dinwiddie and Irving, that still couldn't be enough scoring to beat the top teams in the Western Conference. Dinwiddie and Irving are both capable of having big scoring nights, but outside of them, they don't have any score-first guards who can erupt when needed.
Moving forward, Dinwiddie, Irving, and Exum will each be running the point. It's quite unsure how both of them moving forward will have the ability to run the offense with the injuries rattling the Mavericks. Whether if Irving or Dinwiddie has the ball, the focus will have to shift to them at all times, even with Klay Thompson on the court, and teams can put forth all of their effort to shut down Irving, especially while Davis is sidelined.
Irving is averaging under 25 points per game this season, compared to Doncic's 28.1 points with the Mavericks before the trade. While Irving's scoring numbers are poised to rise over the next few weeks with Davis out, they still need more scoring from the backcourt outside of him. Dinwiddie's 42 percent field goal shooting and inconsistency in scoring frequently also hurt him, as you never know what you're going to get from him.
Another thing for Irving is if this season doesn't go as planned for the Mavericks, his player option will be a thing to be cautious about this summer because Irving can leave the Mavericks and become a free agent.
While it looks like Irving is interested in returning to Dallas, anything can happen in today's NBA. The Mavs not adding another shot creator at the trade deadline while losing Doncic and Quentin Grimes could definitely come back to bite them, and while their defense will be stout, their offense is a major question mark.
