Featured Columnist IVJanuary 1, 2025
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The Dallas Mavericks have weighed whether or not to focus on “an influence perimeter defender” previous to the Feb. 6 NBA commerce deadline, in response to The Athletic’s Christian Clark.
If that is a path the Mavs pursue, Clark eliminated one potential candidate from the board, reporting “there’s little perception in NBA circles” the New Orleans Pelicans would transfer ahead Herb Jones.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Dec. 10 that groups have proven growing curiosity in gamers on the Pelicans roster, Jones included, with the staff off to such a dreadful begin. Nonetheless, NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer adopted up on Dec. 15 to report New Orleans was “naturally resistant” to any affords for the 26-year-old.
For the Mavericks, bettering their perimeter protection forward of the deadline would make sense as a result of that is at all times going to be a priority so long as their squad is oriented round Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Neither is an effective defender, leaving Dallas susceptible on the level of assault.
The Mavs at present sit 11th in defensive ranking (110.8), which is up from an 18th-place finish in 2023-24, per NBA.com. They beefed up their perimeter protection within the offseason by including Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall, whereas Dereck Vigorous II is constant to enhance as a rim protector into his second season.
Nonetheless, navigating via the Western Convention within the playoffs means going through some mixture of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker. Whoever wins the East will boast a formidable backcourt as effectively.
Upgrading their protection is probably not a foul concept for the Mavericks.
