How Luka Doncic's Mavs Stack Up in Latest ESPN NBA Power Rankings
DALLAS — After finishing the 2022-23 season with a 38-44 record, the Dallas Mavericks failed to qualify for the play-in tournament. It was a strong underachievement given the team received MVP caliber production from All-NBA First-Team member Luka Doncic in addition to having acquired Kyrie Irving in a midseason trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
The Mavs entered the offseason with defense and rebounding being the team's top priorities. It was easy to see why given the team ranked 25th in defensive rating and 30th in total rebounding percentage.
"I think for us going into the offseason, the two biggest things that we need to work on is defense and rebounding," Mavs general manager Nico Harrison said during his exit interview. "That's going to be addressed."
As far as offseason additions are concerned, the Mavs used the NBA Draft to add Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, while also acquiring Richaun Holmes in a trade with the Sacramento Kings. The team later used free agency to acquire Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and Dante Exum, while also re-signing Dwight Powell. How do they stack up to the rest of the league after these moves?
In ESPN's latest NBA power rankings, the Mavs were positioned 14th in the NBA and particularly 8th in the Western Conference. Additionally, the next three teams in the rankings all were from within the West.
"Dallas avoided disaster by keeping Kyrie Irving and addressed its defensive flaws in the draft and free agency," Tim MacMahon wrote.
One factor that limits the Mavs' ranking is the unclear impact that Dereck Lively II will make as a rookie. As it stands, Dwight Powell, Richaun Holmes, and Maxi Kleber are the veteran center options the team has in their plans for 2023-24. Unless Lively surprises and emerges as ahead of schedule in his development, there will continue to be a short-term need at the five.
"It remains to be seen whether lottery pick Dereck Lively II, a raw, athletic big man, can contribute immediately," MacMahon wrote.
There is a sense that Olivier-Maxence Prosper will manage to make a quicker impact than Lively, but the NBA Draft was far from the Mavs' only important means for adding talent. The acquisition of Grant Williams will help to fill a void at the four created by including Dorian Finney-Smith in the midseason trade with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Kyrie Irving.
"Fellow first-round pick Olivier-Maxence Prosper and sign-and-trade acquisition Grant Williams fill glaring needs as physical forwards with defensive versatility," MacMahon wrote.
The play and durability of Doncic is what influences the Mavs the most. The perception currently is that his conditioning ahead of leading Slovenia in the FIBA World Cup should command optimism entering the 2023-24 NBA season.
"And arguably the most encouraging summer development is Luka Doncic's commitment to conditioning, as evidenced by his frequent Instagram updates," MacMahon wrote.
It's tough to rank teams and project too much in late July, but the Mavs did make meaningful strides in improving the team — even if there is still work to be done. There are other factors that only time will tell, such as the development of Josh Green as he enters his fourth NBA season.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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