Like a pride of lions sniffing out potentially wounded prey, NBA clubs are keeping a tight eye on the wounded Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas limps into the new week at 5-13 in the loaded Western Conference, with six players â chief among them Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving littering its injured list. Opponents looking to make a score are also wondering whether there might be some front office uncertainty they could capitalize upon after the firing of general manager Nico Harrison. Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi have been named co-interim GMs â a line that, to other teams hopeful of a sweet deal, sounds a bit like a big man trying to bring the ball up against full court pressure.
There is also reportedly some further re-arranging of chairs in the decision room, with former owner Mark Cuban again having a role in important discussions. All of it feeds the narrative that Maverick minds are open to changes.
But according to NBA sources whoâve spoken to Heavy on Mavericks, the club is moving cautiously during this trying time.
‘I Think They’re Still Trying to Figure Things Out’
After last year’s league-shattering trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Davis and began a through-line to Harrison’s job loss, the franchise is taking to heart the Hippocratic Oath. First do no harm.
But there is, however, a wild card in the Dallas deck. Davis is represented by Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, an entity historically proactive in getting its clients into proper places.
“If Klutch gets involved in Dallas and tries to get AD out, then some stuff could happen,” said one league executive. “But (the Mavericks) are still working it out with that group to see what direction they want to go in, and they’re so injured it’s hard to tell.
“I think they’re still trying to figure things out after the changes in the front office, but I don’t think that group as it stands now wants to make any big decisions.”
And while Davis has had an unpleasant injury, the last being a calf problem that’s helped limit him to just five games this season, the man is a certified beast when able to stay on the court.
“If they get rid of AD, who can play that role?” said an opposing coach. “There’s not many people with AD’s kind of talent. That’s why teams can be willing to put up with his injuries. He’s a talented guy. When he’s out there, he’s just so good. So damned if you do, damned if you don’t. It just depends on what direction they want to go in.”
The Mavericks Are Looking Forward to Kyrie Irvings Return: ‘The Guys They Have Could Be a Real Problem’
GettyCooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks are waiting for Kyrie Irving to return.
With rookie top pick Cooper Flagg seemingly getting better by the day, the other major player in Dallas’ hope for a mid-to-late-season resurrection is Kyrie Irving, said to be ahead of schedule on his ACL recovery but still uncertain on a return.
A crew headed by Davis, Irving and Flagg could be formidable if given time to get into the postseason picture.
“Even if they get in as a low seed, the guys they have could be a real problem for even a good team,” said another personnel man. “That’s why everything I hear is that they’re just going to play this out and see where it takes them when Kyrie comes back.”
Still… this is the NBA, where strange moves are just a phone call away.
“You know, Anthony Davis was a Nico guy,” the personnel dude added. “They would go out to dinner and hang out. That was his guy. Right now, (Davis) seems content to be there, but you know how that changes.”
As of now, the Mavericks seem resistant to such change.
 
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