According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Mavericks are considering a possible shutdown of Kyrie Ivring and Luka Doncic for the rest of the season. This is what Shams had to say via SI;
“I’m told that the organization is seriously considering the possibility of shutting down those three [sic] guys,” he said Monday on FanDuel TV. “They have a top 10 protected pick. So being out of the play-in race, it behooves them not to try and keep their pick.”
Charania said Dallas would be in a position this offseason to trade their the first-round pick and more to try and get another solid piece on the roster.
The Mavericks (37–42) are the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference as of Monday afternoon but are separated from the No. 9 seed Timberwolves by just two wins. Dallas would just need to finish in the No. 10 seed to make the play-in tournament, but the franchise may elect to cut its losses early.
The Mavericks just have three games left in this season. First the Kings on Wednesday, then the Bulls on Friday and their regular season finale will be against the Spurs on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Luka is telling everyone he misses Jalen Brunson who the Mavs failed to re-sign last offseason. Brunson is now flourishing with the Knicks while the Mavs are floundering.
Luka Doncic mentioned that Mavs haven’t been able to recreate chemistry from last season. How much have they missed Jalen Brunson?
“A lot,” Doncic said with a pained smile. “I mean, amazing guy, amazing player, for sure.”
The Kyrie trade was a disaster, and it seems like they will lose him in free agency this summer, meaning they just gave away assets for nothing but a missed postseason appearance.
Watch the discussion of the Mavericks trying to shut down Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic for the rest of the season…
“I think the Mavericks have to seriously look at whether you shut down Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving these last 3 games of the regular season” 😬@ShamsCharania on the #Mavs mindset going into the final 3 games#RunItBack #MFFL pic.twitter.com/IPqgwS2YHm
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) April 3, 2023
Luka Doncic mentioned that Mavs haven't been able to recreate chemistry from last season. How much have they missed Jalen Brunson?
"A lot," Doncic said with a pained smile. "I mean, amazing guy, amazing player, for sure."
— Tim MacMahon (@BannedMacMahon) April 4, 2023
