Do the Dallas Mavericks need to shake up the team around Luka Doncic?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 12: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 12, 2022 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Mavericks 108-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The Dallas Mavericks haven’t been anything special this season, but they’re slowly creeping up into the upper echelon of Western Conference teams.

They won’t compete with the Warriors, Suns, Grizzlies, and Jazz, but they are right there under those four. It’s them and the Nuggets in that next tier of teams in out West.

However, any team with Luka Doncic on it should have very high aspirations. He’s already proved to be one of the greatest superstars in the NBA, and despite his team losing, he actually plays extremely well in the playoffs.

Through his first two playoff appearances, Doncic averaged over 30 points a night. However, in spite of that feat, the Mavs were eliminated in the first round both times.

The team around Luka Doncic isn’t stepping up in the playoffs

Last year, Doncic averaged nearly 36 points in the playoffs. Meanwhile, his co-star, Kristaps Porzingis, could only manage to average around 13 points.

That’s absolutely unacceptable for a player being touted as the second option on a playoff team.

Now, in fairness to Porzingis, he’s been better this year. His three-point shooting numbers are still ugly, but he’s putting up over 20 a night, in addition to eight rebounds and almost two blocks.

That being said, there’s a bunch of inconsistency on the roster. Jalen Brunson is playing amazingly this year, but Tim Hardaway Jr. is having a rough time.

Marquise Chriss has been a welcomed surprise, but Reggis Bullock hasn’t really panned out the way they wanted him to when they signed him this offseason.

Do the Dallas Mavericks need to shake up the team around Luka Doncic?

With every position, there’s a negative that can be found. While it’s great that they sit at fifth in the West, a championship has to be on the mind of Doncic, and this team probably won’t accomplish that.

This isn’t to say that the Dallas Mavericks should blow things up right now, but sooner or later, they might have to think about shaking things up a bit to put a better team around Doncic.

The last thing that Mark Cuban wants is an Anthony Davis situation on his hands. Dallas is very far away from that point, but it’s something to keep in the back of one’s mind.

It probably won’t happen this trade deadline, but if the Mavs underperform for too long, expect some major moves in Dallas around Doncic.

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