There’s no doubt that the Mavericks took a huge risk by taking in Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline, and not simply because of the mercurial point guard’s myriad off-court issues. While there can be no denying his unique skill set, there is likewise the not-inconsequential possibility of his departure at the end of the season. He’s on an expiring contract, which means that, depending on his whim and fancy, he can opt to move elsewhere once his current obligation is done. Under the circumstances, it’s fair to argue that they feel confident keeping him in the fold for reasons only they know at this time.
To be sure, the Mavericks were admittedly at the point where they believed they needed to make a change — even any change — in order to address their unhealthy reliance on Luka Doncic to carry them night in and night out. True, he has the talent and willingness to shoulder the load. And, true, he has shown an uncanny knack for delivering in the crunch. On the other hand, the burden becomes heavier by the day, and tends to wear down even the best of the best as the season wears on. As otherworldly as he proved to be, he was not immune in this regard.
Which was why, when presented with the opportunity to reload for the final stretch of the 2022-23 campaign, the Mavericks chose to roll the dice. And for a while there, it appeared as if they made the right choice. Irving was most certainly instrumental in victories his first two times out with them, and against the well-positioned Clippers and Kings to boot. They looked like geniuses, and well on their way to claiming a coveted Top Four seeding in the West. Things were looking up, with Doncic particularly relishing the All-Star help that he was given.
Today, the outlook appears much different. The Mavericks have lost five of their six matches since those initial triumphs, and post-contest press conferences have played host to familiar refrains. Not that the sentiments they expressed were wrong; they do need time to jell above all else. It’s not easy assimilating Irving’s high-usage style, never mind his capacity to weave magic with a ball in his hand. And for all the sighs of relief Doncic genuinely heaved after having much-needed help come in, deference — or, to be more precise, the degree thereof — likewise requires an adjustment.
Will the Mavericks get better with time? Of course. There is a more important question, though: How much time do they need to get better? Only they can answer that, and hopefully, they are able to do so in the affirmative before they can cash in on their gamble.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
