The Dallas Mavericks got a rough reminder Wednesday night of how thin their offense can look without Kyrie Irving steering the wheel.
Dallas dropped a 101-97 decision to the New Orleans Pelicans and did it with both Irving and Cooper Flagg sidelined. The numbers told the story fast: the Mavericks shot 30-for-84 from the floor, went 10-for-49 from deep, and coughed it up 25 times.
Even with P.J. Washington, Max Christie, Naji Marshall and Zaccharie Risacher all on the floor, the Mavericks never found much rhythm. The offense lacked the kind of shot creation that can steady a game when things get choppy, and that’s exactly the problem the team would face if it ever decided to move Irving.
That’s the bigger issue here. Irving gives Dallas something it simply does not have enough of elsewhere: a player who can create his own shot at all three levels and organize the offense without everything grinding to a halt. With the backcourt thin behind him, taking him out of the picture would leave the Mavericks in a dangerous spot.
Naji Marshall may be next in line as Irving’s backup at point guard, but his game is built more on downhill drives and defense than high-level guard play. He also wasn’t a great on-court fit with Flagg last season, which only sharpens the concern that Dallas would take a major step backward offensively if it traded Irving without getting an elite guard back.
The roster construction only makes that problem worse. Dallas is heavy on frontcourt depth and already has plenty of play finishers on the wing and around the basket. What it does not have is someone who can consistently create advantages and deliver the ball to those finishers in the right spots.
That matters even more because the Mavericks ranked 27th in the NBA in offensive rating last season. Yes, they added a lot of new pieces, but the core remains intact, and the offense would look completely different without Irving. Flagg would be pushed back into being a creator nearly every night, and that would feel a lot like last season all over again.
That burden is exactly what Dallas should want to avoid. Running the show every game was a huge load for Flagg as a rookie, and he looked best playing beside a solid point guard. A superstar leap may be coming for Coop, but the Mavericks would be wise to keep Irving next to him rather than break that pairing apart this early.
Irving remains one of the best shot creators of his generation, and his presence makes life easier for everybody else. He lifts shot quality just by drawing attention, he can close games, and he gives Flagg the kind of sidekick Dallas needs after losing 26 games last season.
Of course, Irving’s health is going to matter a lot. The Mavericks will go as far as he goes. There’s also a real case for listening if trade offers come in for the nine-time All-Star, especially since he is 15 years older than Flagg and could bring back a strong return.
But Wednesday night was a clear warning. Dallas does not have enough creators to absorb losing one of the best shooters and on-ball guards of all time, and if it trades Kyrie Irving, the offense could fall off a cliff.
In Other News...
Mavericks Just Got A Tougher Shooting Decision Than Fans Expected
John Poulakidas missing the Mavericks second preseason game naturally stirred some questions about where he stands in Dallas plans, especially with roster decisions still taking shape. The team has been looking for ways to sharpen its three-point shooting, and that has put a spotlight on players who can help stretch the floor without needing a heavy offensive load.
Poulakidas offered a reminder of why he remains part of that conversation in the latest look against the New Orleans Pelicans, when he scored 16 points and knocked down four three-pointers. For a roster still weighing moves involving him and others, that kind of bench shooting is exactly the sort of skill set that can make a decision more complicated than it first appeared. [Read more 🡒]
Dusty May Just Spotlighted Why Risacher Could Matter For Dallas
The Mavericks 101-97 preseason loss to the Pelicans didnt change much in the standings, but it did offer another look at why Zaccharie Risacher keeps drawing attention. Dallas fell to 1-2, and even in a game where his shot wasnt falling cleanly, Risacher still found ways to impact the action with his activity around the glass, his work in transition and the movement that kept him involved without needing the ball in his hands.
Dusty May made sure to point out those details after the game, and they matter for Dallas because they speak to a player who can help in more than one phase. Risacher finished with six points, four rebounds, an assist, two steals and a block in 23 minutes, a stat line that showed both his versatility and the rough edges that come with preseason evaluation. The shooting efficiency was uneven, but the larger takeaway for the Mavericks is that there is already evidence of the kind of connective play that can make him useful once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Could Face A Roster Squeeze Lakers Fans Should Watch
The Lakers search for more help behind their front line has pulled the Mavericks into the conversation, with one trade framework sending center Moussa Cisse to Los Angeles and bringing guard Jaden Hardy back to Dallas. It is the kind of swap that speaks to both teams needs: the Lakers would be looking to shore up backup big man depth, while Dallas would be betting on a young scorer who could add some punch off the bench.
For the Mavericks, the wrinkle is less about the name value of the deal than the roster math it could trigger. Dwight Powells return would require room, which means Dallas may have to make a decision somewhere else on the bench, and that is where the squeeze starts to matter. Hardys fit is easy enough to imagine in a second unit that could use more scoring, but the question is whether the Mavericks are ready to reshuffle bodies to make the move work. [Read more 🡒]