Given head coach Jason Kidd’s familiarity with him from their time together with the Los Angeles Lakers, a starting spot is guaranteed, at least to start the season. McGee will turn 35 this season and expects to start. While McGee may best be known for all his appearances on “Shaqtin’ A Fool,” he has the championship hardware that so many players covet. In the wake of losing a starter who can run the offense and create for himself off the dribble, the Mavericks added center JaVale McGee. Dallas’ inability to keep their second-best ball handler, who carried the team in Luka Doncic’s absence during the first-round of the playoffs against the favored Utah Jazz is a blight on the front office. There’s no point in rehashing all the details of Brunson’s defection in this space-there are a lot. Jalen Brunson signs with the Knicks and this weird saga may finally be over They could have offered him more money than the Knicks. The Mavericks had the opportunity to extend him during the regular season. Unquestionably, the biggest move of the offseason-or lack thereof-was the departure of Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks. He’s promising, albeit rough around the edges. Although he was unable to replicate that outburst during his time in Las Vegas, he showed the ability to drive, dish, and score at three levels. He didn’t disappoint in his debut, scoring 28 points. While still raw, he’s shown a lot of upsides.Įvery camera focused on Hardy during Summer League. Hardy was a high school standout who made the leap to the G League, foregoing college. Hindsight is 20-20, and Dallas moving into the draft to get Hardy looks increasingly like insurance to cover the forthcoming departure of Jalen Brunson (more on that below).

37 overall pick, which they acquired from the Sacramento Kings for second-round picks in 20. The same day that the Wood trade became final, the Mavericks traded into the 2022 NBA Draft to select Jaden Hardy with the No. Just don’t expect him to be Tyson Chandler on defense. The biggest potential boost he may provide is on offense as a stretch forward who shot 39 percent on three pointers last season. Wood checks those boxes if he’s being attentive. They needed to add some size and rebounding. The Mavericks trade for Christian Wood is a gamble worth takingĬlearing out the end of the bench for a player that many have said has exciting potential throughout his six seasons seems like a win for the Mavericks.

The ringer