Hoops Habit
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Ranking Western Conference contenders after the trade deadline

By Ari Schwartz

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

4. Dallas Mavericks

Despite first-round exits in two of the last three seasons, the Mavs have consistently been a playoff threat in the West. They played two close series with the Clippers in 2020 and 2021, and of course, made a run to the Conference Finals last year.

Losing Jalen Brunson has certainly hurt the Mavs in the long-term. However, not only has Dallas acquired a replacement at the deadline in Kyrie Irving, but they’re getting a player who can perform at a level Brunson wasn’t capable of during their playoff run last season or even this year with the New York Knicks.

That being said, Dallas has clearly suffered a downgrade in terms of depth following the Irving deal. In the trade, the Mavs dealt their best defender in Dorian-Finney Smith, and their best scorer when Doncic was out of the game in Spencer Dinwiddie.

Given their weaknesses, it’s hard to see Dallas defeating one of the top contenders in the West. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if they took a first-round series from one of the aforementioned teams now that they finally have a star next to Luka Doncic.