Dallas Basketball

Mavericks ask for financial relief from NBA due to injury situation

The NBA has not cooperated with the seemingly doomed franchise.
Keenan Womack|
Feb 10, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison speaks with fans before the game between the Dallas and the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Feb 10, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison speaks with fans before the game between the Dallas and the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Dallas Mavericks

It may have seemed that after the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, things could not have gotten worse for Dallas, as the beloved superstar's presence both on and off the floor would be missed dearly by the fanbase. Painfully, the fans who thought the swap would be rock bottom were wrong, as unfortunate circumstances continue to pile up for Dallas' professional basketball organization. The team is so injured that they are at risk of having to forfeit games, something that has never happened in the history of the NBA – to play, it is required to have eight players listed as active. The Mavericks are in grave danger of being unable to compete.

To remedy the situation, GM Nico Harrison has made an unusual request of the league: asking for financial leniency so that they can sign free agents to play.

READ MORE: Shaquille O'Neal believes Mavericks are cursed since Luka Doncic-Lakers trade

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis smiles during during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Brian Windhorst stated on a recent episode of the "Hoop Collective Podcast" that, "From what I understand, [the Mavs] have asked the league for relief, and the league to this point has not offered them relief."

Unfortunately for Dallas, the NBA is not cooperating or allowing any kind of aid. It's also extremely unlikely that it will happen due to the backlash the league would receive from other teams. There is no sympathy for a team that is partially responsible for its own demise in rushing players back (Anthony Davis), playing them too many minutes (Kyrie Irving), or trading away healthy players for ones that ended up injured (Quentin Grimes for a now-hurt Caleb Martin).

Every move made by this organization in the last six weeks has been beyond disastrous, and the mismanagement of the current assets only emphasizes the ineptitude of this current front office. Yes, terrible luck has been involved in this meltdown, but displacing all blame is simply impossible to do in this situation. If Harrison had left the team alone before the trade deadline, they would have more available players (Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris, as well as Grimes). The baffling decision made on February 2 has had long-lasting ramifications that could result in historic levels of failure resulting in forfeited games.

READ MORE: Mavs icon Dirk Nowitzki believes Mark Cuban deserves some blame for Luka Doncic-Lakers trade

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Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

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