The Dallas Mavericks began the season with one of the most potent offenses in the NBA, going 8-2 through their initial ten games. However, Mavericks supporters are beginning to accept reality as the team’s sturdier stretch of games drops them to 10-6 and fifth in the Western Conference. Following a sequence of subpar performances in which they suffered defeats at the hands of the Bucks and Clippers, they narrowly averted a 20-point collapse against the Lakers. The offensive prowess of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving is propelling the Mavs to the top of the league, but the defense is suffering due to deficiencies in stature throughout the frontcourt.

Merely acquiring Grant Williams and Derrick Jones Jr. to fortify their frontcourt is insufficient to contend in the Western Conference. Consequently, they ought to be contacting the Wizards, who are a dismal 14th in the Eastern Conference and possess a 28-year-old forward capable of making a significant impact in Dallas. The Wizards are not on the same schedule as the rebuilding squad; therefore, if the team appears to be stalling once more, Kyle Kuzma’s contract could be advanced to the winter season.

The Wizards pledge to reconstruct.

Despite being one of the worst teams in the NBA, the Wizards should be utilizing their available minutes to acquire young talent who has the potential to become a primary member in the future. It might be prudent to replace Kuzma with Deni Avdija and Bilal Coulibaly in the starting lineup. The addition of another youthful player to the roster, such as Josh Green, who is signed to an affordable long-term contract, could significantly improve their long-term prospects.

Green’s season has gotten off to a sluggish start, with him averaging 6.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. However, he has demonstrated in the past that he is capable of shooting 40% from three-point range and has displayed bursts of excellent finishing and playmaking. With 15 points against the Lakers, he is reviving his season, but it is evident that the 21-year-old is still an immature prospect who must mature in a setting where he can commit errors without losing playing time. 

Tim Hardaway Jr. appears improbable to remain a permanent member of the Washington roster, with the team’s future plans involving an immediate trade for more valuable assets. With an impressive start to the season, he ranks among the most proficient shooters in the NBA, averaging 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 8.9 attempts from three-point range. This is the type of player that a contender would adore having, and the Wizards could easily trade him for him given that his inexpensive $18 million contract expires at the end of the following season.

The Mavericks introduce the archetypal forward. Luka Doncic Requirements

A challenge encountered by the Mavericks during the process of assembling a roster around Luka Doncic has been the identification of players who ideally complement him. This elucidates the team’s excessive dependence on players such as Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell, considering their extensive tenure in addition to Doncic. Kyrie has performed admirably as Doncic’s backcourt companion, but the team is in need of a winger with greater impact. Kyle Kuzma precisely embodies this.

During his tenure in Washington, Kuzma has averaged 23.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, and has demonstrated the ability to score 20 points. Nevertheless, his experience with the 2020 Lakers has taught him what he must do as a complementary element for a contending team. Kuzma has significantly matured into a player who would be an obvious third option behind the backcourt for Dallas, contributing to the team with his effective defense, high-effort rebounding, and scoring prowess.

Kuzma is the ideal forward for Dallas, as he could technically play with any frontcourt player. By providing additional size on the perimeter, he can improve the team’s rebounding as well as their defense. Kuzma, who would be an invaluable asset to a Mavs squad seeking to become a title contender after selecting their starting center with Dereck Lively II in the 2023 NBA Draft, would be once again motivated by a winning circumstance.

Is It Possible For The Mavericks To Enter The Contender With This Move?

While not quite a perfect roster, this trade does advance the Mavericks closer to their objectives of contending for the championship and ensuring Luka’s satisfaction prior to his request to leave the franchise. Josh Green’s departure does result in the Mavericks losing one of the most active defenders in the league, despite the fact that his 6’5″ stature causes size issues for the team, which becomes extremely minuscule with Doncic, Grant Williams, and Irving. Green has a lot of potential, but Kuzma is a far better win-now prospect that fits better onto the roster and the role they need him to fill.

The irreplaceable magnetic offensive prowess of Tim Hardaway Jr. will be sorely missed. One could argue the Mavericks didn’t lose their 2018 trade with the Knicks for Kristaps Porzingis primarily because of the acquisition of Hardaway, who has become a core piece for the Mavericks over the last five seasons. The Mavericks did advance to the Western Conference Finals in 2022 despite Hardaway’s injury. Despite the fact that the team has previously executed a successful concept without Hardaway Jr., his absence would be a significant setback given that he has been their third-best player this season.

The Mavs are risk-takers by nature; therefore, Kuzma would be an ideal fit for their system. By executing this maneuver, they afford themselves an authentic opportunity to distinguish themselves from the middle of the Western standings and establish their position as a potential contender and top-six team.