NBA legend and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley doesn’t think the Mavericks will get very far with the current roster — even with the presence of star guard/forward Luka Doncic.
“I’m curious to watch Dallas tonight,” Barkley said ahead of the Mavs game against the Heat on Tuesday, via Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. “Because Dallas, the way they’re constructed, they need to make a trade. But I want to see if they get beat-down tonight to confirm that.”
The Mavs had the playoffs each of the previous two seasons, but lost in the first round to the Clippers both times. As a franchise, Dallas hasn’t made it past the first round since 2011. That year, Dallas also won the NBA championship.
But Barkley may have a point. As good as Doncic is, the Mavs decided to make some changes up top to try to take the next step.
They started by replacing longtime GM Donnie Nelson with former Nike executive Nico Harrison. Then, they replaced longtime coach Rick Carlisle with Jason Kidd. So from that perspective, Mavs owner Mark Cuban has indeed given the team a bit of a fresh start.
The roster, however, may need a little upgrade. At least, it may as far as Barkley is concerned. But that’s not so easy. In order to make a trade, you need a dance partner.
Question is, do the Mavs have the players that other teams really want? And while Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and others are nice players, are they the kind that would entice an opponent to surrender the type of talent that would put the Mavs over the top?
Either way, Barkley seems to think something, somehow needs to happen for the Mavs to take another step. Most basketball pundits would probably agree.
Whether the Mavs do … well, that is is likely to be determined between now and the trade deadline.
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