3 Former Mavericks Failing Miserably With Their New Teams in 2023
Sometimes a fresh start isn't what always best for an NBA player, proven by these three former Dallas Mavericks who are struggling with their new teams this season.
The Dallas Mavericks are 26 games into the 2023-24 NBA season and, so far, general manager Nico Harrison's offseason decisions are paying off. New faces like Grant Williams, Derick Lively II, and Dante Exum are a big reason why the Mavs currently sit at a 16-10 record — good enough for fifth in the Western Conference.
But to bring in the above trio, Mavericks fans had to say goodbye to some familiar names to make space. While some of the former Dallas players are excelling under their new employers, others likely wish that they were still with the Mavs.
With that in mind, here are three ex-Mavericks who are failing with their new teams this season.
1. Reggie Bullock, Houston Rockets
Reggie Bullock only spent two seasons with the Mavericks, but that didn't stop him from becoming a fan favorite.
A free-agent signing in 2021, the former UNC Tar Heel's talents as a 3-and-D wing player played a big role in Dallas taking the next step forward. Across 146 games in a Mavericks jersey, Bullock averaged 7.8 points, 3.1 defensive rebounds, and 2.0 threes on 37.0% shooting. That's without mentioning how he also played 18 games on the franchise's run to the 2021-22 Western Conference Finals.
Nevertheless, Bullock was shipped out of Dallas to the San Antonio Spurs as a part of the three-team Grant Williams trade this offseason. His stay with the Spurs was short-lived as they waived him at the end of September only for him to sign with the Houston Rockets just a week later.
Unfortunately, Bullock has accomplished much in his short time with the Rockets. He's barely seeing any playing time in Houston, averaging just 8.5 minutes per outing. As a result, he's only averaging 1.9 points while shooting 35.0% from the floor and 35.3% from the three-point line. His 104 offensive rating per 100 possessions is also his worst mark in 10 seasons.
What's even more embarrassing is that Bullock has been a healthy scratch 12 times this season, which is more than the number of games he's played (11). Regardless of how you slice it, the 32-year-old's latest campaign is nothing short of disastrous.