It's been an amazing offseason for the Dallas Mavericks, drafting Morez Johnson Jr. That doesn't solve the Mavs' most glaring flaw, 3-point shooting, but they answered that hole by picking up Santi Aldama, Sergio De Larrea and Tarik Biberovic, one of the best deep shooters in the world from Türkiye.
But the Mavs suffered a blow on Monday, as the Los Angeles Clippers picked up Rui Hachimura, one of Luka Doncic's most reliable teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavs were in the running to get Hachimura.
"The Mavericks, who still possess the full $15 million midlevel, emerged as a suitor for Rui Hachimura along with the Clippers on top of Brooklyn's long-held interest ... but Hachimura had a clear intention to stay in LA after 3 1/2 seasons as a Laker."
Mavericks had Rui Hachimura on the doorstep in free agency
Hachimura isn't the most attractive free agency splash of all, but he has a massive 6-foot-8 frame with a 7'2" wingspan. Oh yeah, and he shoots like a guard.
Since he started in the NBA, he's been a reliable starter with the Washington Wizards and the Lakers, averaging double digits in points for the last three seasons. Unfortunately, the Clippers got to him, but the Mavs were right on the doorstep.
He may have been one of Doncic's best teammates, but this is Cooper Flagg's team now. However, when you look at Flagg and Doncic's offensive games, they look similar. Both are amazing playmakers and get their teammates involved. That's where Hachimura could've come in as someone who can easily spread the floor.
Now, this isn't to say that missing out on Hachimura is the end of the world. The Mavs still have someone of that same caliber to give you the best minutes.
Naji Marshall has elevated his floater game to an elite status, and his signature shot is almost impossible to stop. P.J. Washington is still on the roster and a starter, assuming he stays with the Mavericks next season. On top of all of that, the Mavs already have a frontcourt logjam to address.
Johnson Jr. will likely still be the backup, but Washington will still start if he isn't traded. There's also a possibility that Gafford is traded, but Dereck Lively II has also been injury-prone early in his career.
Again, not the end of the world, but the Mavericks could've changed the game to get someone with the credentials like Hachimura.
Add us as a preferred source on Google