Over/Under: Dallas Mavericks 2023-24

DALLAS MAVERICKS: 45.5 WINS – UNDER Key Additions Grant Williams (trade) Richaun Holmes (trade) Dereck Lively (draft) Olivier-Max Prosper…

DALLAS MAVERICKS: 45.5 WINS – UNDER

Key Additions

Grant Williams (trade)Richaun Holmes (trade)Dereck Lively (draft)Olivier-Max Prosper (draft)Seth Curry (free agency)Dante Exum (free agency – Europe)

Key Subtractions

Reggie BullockDavis Bertans

Rotation

GuardsLuka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Jaden HardyWingsJosh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dante Exum, O-Max ProsperForwardsGrant Williams, Maxi Kleber, Derrick Jones Jr.BigsDwight Powell, Richaun Holmes, Dereck Lively

Random thoughts, opinions, comments, declarations, queries, editorials, etc.

Not much to say really. Though I love Cuban, Kidd, and Luka, I truly don’t enjoy watching this team play. The heliocentric offenses historically fail in the playoffs (See: Harden, James), and I assume this Mavs team will as well. Kyrie hasn’t played at a consistently high level since his last year in Cleveland. That was in 2017, btw. I imagine a lot of “Your Turn, My Turn” stuff in their offense. Until Luka learns how to move without the ball, the Mavs will be destined for mediocrity.

Last Year – Interesting Stats

7-15 post all-star break, as the tank was in96.6 Pace – 28th out of 30116.7 Defensive Rating – 24th out of 303rd in threes made and attempted30th in rebounds28th in assistsLuka averaged 32.4 ppg on 22 FGA

Keys to Success

Luka learns what a box-out is, Kyrie takes his meds consistently, Hardaway Jr., Green, and Curry all shoot 37% or above from 3, Williams & Kleber stay healthy, Richaun Holmes redeems his career

Potential Obstacles

Luka & Kyrie can’t figure each other out, Kyrie converts to Latvian Orthodox on a whim, their perimeter defense is historically bad, JKidd fails to hold his 2 stars accountable

Hot takes

The “Luka is Leaving” hype will reach a fever pitch mid-season when the Mavs hover around .500. Lukewarm take – Kyrie does something absurd at some pointKyrie doesn’t finish the season with the MavsNeither does Jason KiddDereck Lively is destined to become Jaxson HayesO-Max Prosper will be a stud, but not yetGrant Williams will get punched in the face by both an opponent AND a teammate before the end of the season

STANDINGS PREDICTION: 9TH IN THE WEST