The Dallas Mavericks are one year removed from a controversial finish to the 2023 season. While they wound up with the No. 10 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after missing the playoffs, they were fined $750K for stating the desire to lose to help their chances of keeping the selection.
But the head-scratching part is that the Mavericks still had a shot at making the play-in tournament, instead opting to take a long-term view.
While it was a costly decision, it’s one that panned out. Less than one full calendar year after having a top-10 pick, the Mavs are on their way to the 2024 NBA Finals, something Luka Doncic called “insane.”
“Insane. I think we’ve got a great team, but most importantly we’ve got great guys … from players to coaches … and that’s the most important thing. We stay together and we just play basketball,” Doncic said, per Grant Afseth of Mavericks Gameday.
Luka Doncic described reaching the NBA Finals one season after being in the lotto as “insane,” and sees a “great team.”
Doncic isn’t wrong, and the Mavericks’ moves following last season are a big part of the team’s current success.
While Doncic and Kyrie Irving meshing at an impressive level has been integral, additions like P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford have been difference-makers for the franchise.
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