Net Rating: -6.9
There probably won’t be a point when we can call the Dallas Mavericks a full-fledged disaster. Being blessed with the No. 1 overall pick, despite entering the lottery with a 1.8 percent chance to get it, keeps that off the table.
However, every fear that just about every reasonable NBA fan or analyst had in the immediate aftermath of the Luka Dončić trade is proving justified.
Anthony Davis is hurt (as he often was with the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers). Dallas’ bigs aren’t as productive without one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history to set them up. The Mavericks aren’t getting as many quality looks generated outside, either.
A lot of that has to do with Cooper Flagg starting at the point, despite playing forward throughout high school and college. And while that might help the team and Flagg in the long run, it’s been terrible for the Mavs’ short-term prospects.
The rookie is averaging 14.4 points, 2.8 assists and 2.1 turnovers, while shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 29.0 percent from deep.