The Dallas Mavericks used the abbreviated offseason to reframe its sights onto the summer of 2021, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

As it stands now, the Mavericks feel one piece away from being true contenders in the NBA. However, the team didn’t necessarily add that piece in the 2020 off-season. Instead, it chose to sure up the edges, and stay put until/if Antentokumpo is available next summer. 

Who did the Mavs sign/resign:

The brain trust at the Mavs retained athletic big Willie Cauley-Stein on a two year, $8.2M deal. What Cauley-Stein brings back to the Mavs is an athletic rim presence that can catch lobs from Luka Dončić. He also adds length to an already gigantic frontcourt, and he will spot minutes for Kristaps Porzingis when he needs to rest or is unavailable to start the season. 

J.J. Barea is a Mavs lifer. The team bringing him back came as no surprise. He offers the team leadership and experience. He’s also the only member left from the 2011 championship Mavericks team. 

Trey Burke resigned with the Mavs on a three-year deal. He gives Luka the ability to go off the ball during stretches of the game. Already, Luka is tasked with doing almost everything for Dallas’s offense, and that is why having a guard like Burke who can create their own shot is a primary need for the team. 

The Mavs also added Wesley Iwundu to the roster on a two year $3.5M deal. He’s a career 31 percent free-throw shooter, but he gives the Mavs much-needed flexibility on the wing. And that is something they didn’t have last season–the ability to give different teams different looks. 

The Mavs acquired James Johnson through a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. What Johnson gives the team is Luka insurance. He is one of the toughest guys in the league, and one could expect him to serve as a Luka protector, after what was seen in the first-round series against the Clippers. 

Who did the Mavs lose: 

Losing Seth Curry in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers can be characterized as addition through subtraction. Yes, it lost out on one of the elite three-point shooters in the NBA, but the Mavs added Josh Richardson, who will be utilized as a defensive weapon for the team going forward. 

Curry played big minutes in crucial games, but the lack of offensive creativity his skill set offered couldn’t help a Mavs offense already high strung with perimeter shooting. 

Delon Wright was another player the Mavs traded. Bringing in Iwundu to play forward added to the already loaded frontcourt. Wright was a player that has similar career splits as Iwundu, and his production won’t be difficult to replace going forward. 

What to expect: 

Dallas had the league’s best offense last season. With Luka playing that isn’t going to change too much. He is a generational player, and arguably, the best player in their early 20s the NBA has ever seen. The moves the team made this offseason were clearly with Giannis in mind. So, if, in 12 months, Antetokounmpo is playing for the Mavericks I wouldn’t be surprised. Also, everything the Mavs did this offseason wouldn’t matter. Yet, if Giannis is still in Milwaukee come this time next year, The Mavs still have Luka meaning the team is in great hands. And this Dallas Mavericks offseason should still be considered successful. 

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