HOT TAKE: Dallas Mavericks Better Short-Term After Luka Doncic Trade?

As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at FedExForum with the Western Conference playoffs’ 8-seed on the line, I (Dalton Trigg) recapped the inspiring performance we witnessed on Wednesday when Dallas kept its season alive by blowing out the Sacramento Kings on the road, 120-106. I’ve been on record saying that, although I’m generally an optimistic person by nature, I didn’t have a good feeling about these Play-In Tournament games for the Mavs. I truly believed the season was going to end on Wednesday. Shout out to them for proving me wrong and showing a ton of pride and grit. Can they do it one more time to punch their ticket to the NBA Playoffs? I’m still skeptical, but I will say… if the Mavs do end up playing the Oklahoma City Thunder in round one… the return of “obnoxiously irrational confident” Dalton will re-enter the chat. Thanks for watching/reading as always, and stay tuned!

After having a few days to digest what happened, Dalton and Drew recap their feelings while watching Luka Doncic's first return to American Airlines Center since the trade last Wednesday as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks. As the Mavs prepare for a tough Play-In Tournament game against the Sacramento Kings this Wednesday night, the guys are left pondering whether Doncic will ever consider returning to Dallas one day to once again play in front of the fan base that loves him so much.

As the Dallas Mavericks fight to lock up their spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, they'll face Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center for the first time since the massive trade on Wednesday night. In addition to previewing that game, we talk about the Mavs planning to sign two-way guard Brandon Williams to a standard contract later this week and what that could mean for their postseason chances.

The Dallas Mavericks are in a weird situation, as they flirt with making the NBA Play-In Tournament as well as falling into the NBA Lottery. Here's our latest thoughts on where the Mavs currently sit with 15 games remaining.

The Dallas Mavericks, who had won five of their last six games heading into Sunday, fell back down to earth in a 126-102 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Things might not get any better anytime soon for the shorthanded Mavs, as their next game is against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Let's talk about the current state of the Mavs and the fan base. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One week after the Dallas Mavericks shockingly traded away the face of the franchise, Luka Doncic, MFFL (Mavs Fans For Life) were still hurting. They gathered outside of American Airlines Center before Saturday’s game against the Houston Rockets to protest General Manager Nico Harrison’s decision to pull the plug on a 25-year-old generational superstar.Although it will take time for fans to fully heal from such a loss, newcomers Anthony Davis and Max Christie performing as they did in Dallas’ 116-105 win over the Houston Rockets will certainly help ease the pain for the time being. In his Mavs debut, Davis finished with a team-best 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks while shooting 10-of-18 overall and 2-of-2 from deep. He had to leave the game in the second half due to a “lower-body injury,” but Davis told the media after the game that it was just some tightness in his groin/quad area and nothing serious.Christie was the Mavs’ second-leading scorer with 23 points on 5-of-10 shooting overall, 4-of-5 from deep and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. With 1:38 remaining in the game, Christie nailed a clutch 3-pointer off a pass from Kyrie Irving to give Dallas a 109-100 lead over Houston, which ended up being the nail in the coffin. On the night, the Mavs’ stout defense set a new franchise record with 18 blocks. On this episode of the Mavs Step Back podcast, I break down Davis and Christie’s performances while also offering some words of encouragement for MFFL, who might not be ready to accept this new chapter just yet.Mavs Step Back is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://mavericksstepback.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Call it the bargaining stage of grief if you must… but after taking this week to let the news of the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis sink in… We’ve come to the conclusion that the sky isn’t falling after all. That is, at least not for this season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Saturday night, around 11 p.m. central time, ESPN’s Shams Charania sent out a trade report on X that was so utterly shocking that everyone wondered if his phone had been hacked by someone trying to pull a prank. However, it was not a prank, as the Dallas Mavericks unexpectedly… and inexplicably… traded away 25-year-old franchise superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Absolute madness ensued in the sports world following such news.The full trade:Lakers receive: Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, Markieff MorrisMavs receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pickJazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 second-round pick (LA Clippers), 2025 second-round pick (Dallas)Our jaws are still dragging the floor. My guy Drew Johnson and I spent the better part of an hour on the latest Mavs Step Back podcast episode trying to make sense of what is likely the most shocking trade in NBA history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-98 on Friday night to end a three-game losing streak and improve to 23-19 on the season. Kyrie Irving led the way with 25 points, but P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall brought the toughness and mental fortitude that ultimately did OKC in. Could this win be a turning point for the season even though Luka Doncic still hasn't returned from a calf injury? Let's talk about it. Thanks for listening, and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our Mavs Step Back newsletter on Substack to get early access to exclusive content like this in the future! Your support means the world to us! Subscribe here: https://mavericksstepback.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before the Dallas Mavericks played the New Orleans Pelicans in the Big Easy on Wednesday night, Mavs Step Back caught up with the team's general manager, Nico Harrison, to talk about all the injuries that have occurred in the first half of this season, whether or not those injuries affect their trade deadline plans, Klay Thompson adapting to his new environment in Big D, and more! Thanks for listening, and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to our Mavs Step Back newsletter on Substack to get early access to exclusive content like this in the future! Your support means the world to us! Subscribe here: https://mavericksstepback.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices