The Dallas Mavericks entered this offseason following one of the most impressive playoff runs in franchise history.
After missing the playoffs the previous season, Dallas made an unexpected run to the NBA Finals in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. As a No. 5 seed, the Mavericks’ success surprised everyone, with standout performances from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, along with strong contributions from their teammates, propelling them to the Finals.
Midseason trades for Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington were particularly impactful, providing a significant boost on both ends of the court. Additionally, several of their offseason acquisitions made substantial contributions.
Mavericks didn’t expect to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr. during playoffs
One of the Mavs’ significant moves last summer was signing Derrick Jones Jr. to a one-year deal. He performed excellently in the playoffs, showcasing his skills on both ends of the floor throughout the season. Re-signing Jones Jr. was reportedly the team’s top offseason priority, according to Nico Harrison.
However, Jones Jr. ultimately signed with the Clippers, leading the Mavs to sign Naji Marshall as his replacement. This development suggests that Dallas’ biggest offseason goal might have fallen short before the offseason concluded.
On an episode of Inside the Mavs, insider Tim Cato revealed that the team “did not expect to retain Derrick Jones” after their second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Things later changed, and it seemed like Jones Jr. was going to re-sign. However, his agency change right before free agency began heavily impacted Dallas’ ability to retain him, leading them to choose Marshall instead.
Failing to keep Jones Jr. was tough for Mavs fans, especially since he fit in so well and was eager to return to Dallas. However, the Mavs ended up signing a younger and better offensive player in Marshall.
The Mavs’ priority of retaining Jones Jr. might have been doomed from the start due to existing doubts before the playoffs ended, which resurfaced once Jones Jr. switched agents.
For all the latest updates on the Dallas Mavericks throughout the offseason, stay tuned as we’ll have you covered.