What's next for the Dallas Mavericks after elimination from the playoffs?

What the Dallas Mavericks will do next after their elimination from playoff contention is anybody’s guess. The Mavs have made some confusing decisions since reaching the Western Conference Finals last year to this season’s embarrassing tailspin.

Dallas lost Jalen Brunson in free agency, something Mark Cuban claimed was due to the “parents taking over.” Luka Doncic’s backcourt mate bolted for the New York Knicks to sign a four-year $104 million deal.

Brunson was reportedly hoping to sign with the Dallas Mavericks for a four-year $55.5 million extension, the same deal that former teammate Dorian Finney-Smith received. Dallas offered the deal only after the trade deadline, indicating that Brunson wasn’t viewed as the long-term partner to Doncic.

When the Knicks came calling in with a big-time offer, Jalen Brunson took his talents to the Big Apple and played for his father Rick Brunson. Cuban spoke with reporters a few days ago and told them that the Dallas Mavericks didn’t get a chance to match New York’s offer.

Even without Brunson, Dallas played well in his absence and hovered around the fourth to sixth spot until after the trade deadline.

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The Dallas Mavericks desperately wanted to put a bona fide star beside Luka Doncic

When it became clear that the Dallas Mavericks weren't going anywhere despite Luka Doncic’s MVP-level play, the team’s front office seemingly panicked. They traded Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie and draft picks for wantaway Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving.

Jason Kidd’s old roster ranked 24th in defensive efficiency before Finney-Smith, their best perimeter player, was traded. Without him, they ranked dead last in that category since acquiring Irving.

On the flip side, their offense was expectedly blistering. But when Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving have off-nights, they rarely win.

Injuries to both superstars also helped in the tailspin. Irving’s right foot has been bothering him since arriving in Dallas, while Doncic has had to deal with a thigh injury since the All-Star break.

The Dallas Mavericks have dropped from fourth in the Western Conference to out of playoff contention in April. Tonight, they gave up their season as Cuban ordered the team to rest its best players, including Kyrie Irving.

Luka Doncic played only 13 minutes and finished with 13 points to end what has been a hugely frustrating and disappointing season for him. He went out to a smattering of applause from the home crowd. Many of the fans had no idea what the Mavericks were trying to pull off.

Dallas and Chicago headed into the game tied for the 10th-worst record in the NBA. The loser retains the spot for the 2023 NBA Draft. Had the Mavericks won, they would have had to give up that pick to the New York Knicks as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade in 2019.

Mark Cuban’s team has a 4.5% chance of landing a massive upset in the draft lottery and grabbing the No. 1 pick. French superstar Victor Wembanyama is touted to be a generational talent, one which could potentially catapult the Mavericks to where they want to be.

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Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks front office will have to nail their offseason moves

The Dallas Mavericks’ offseason moves might not just determine their 2023-24 campaign. It could be a franchise-altering period.

Dallas will need to nail the upcoming draft. They have a top 10 protected pick and should be able to get a solid complementary piece or a star to add to the lineup. The Mavericks also have to make the right decision regarding Kyrie Irving. Mark Cuban insisted that signing the point guard to a long-term deal is this summer’s biggest goal.

It remains to be seen if Cuban will be willing to pay Irving a long-term max deal, considering the player’s history. The Irving-Doncic pairing wasn’t nearly as impactful as many expected it to be.

Cuban claimed a few days ago that Luka Doncic wanted to end his career in Dallas. The caveat is that the team will have to earn his trust.

Doncic publicly stated that he wasn't going to sit out as long as the Dallas Mavericks have a chance of entering the play-in tournament. Mark Cuban's decision overruled that.

The Slovenian basketball star is under contract until after the 2025-26 season. If the Mavericks aren’t trending in the right direction, there’s a big chance the frustrated Doncic may demand a trade.