Mavericks Were Interested in a Major Signing Before a Rival Took Him
The Dallas Mavericks continue to exceed expectations, winning four of their last five games as they approach NBA All-Star weekend. Their latest victory was especially impressive, as they managed to defeat the Miami Heat 118-113 despite missing eight key rotation players, including all of their stars. A strong defensive effort and a highly efficient 27-point performance from Dante Exum (who shot 11-13 from the field) played a crucial role in securing the win.
Mavericks fans are also growing increasingly optimistic about 22-year-old guard Max Christie. He only recently turned 22 and has shown flashes of potential as a secondary shot creator and a strong defender. Christie’s development didn’t take off with the Los Angeles Lakers until shortly before the Luka Dončić trade, but performances like the one he had Thursday night suggest he could help shift the narrative surrounding that deal in Dallas’ favor.
Unless general manager Nico Harrison’s vision with Anthony Davis leads the Mavericks to a championship in the next few seasons, Dallas is unlikely to ever be seen as the winner of the Dončić trade, which has been widely regarded as a major misstep. However, Christie’s 19-point, five-assist effort against the Heat demonstrated how highly the Mavericks valued him in the deal. While his offensive ceiling remains uncertain, given that he was a second-round pick who only recently expanded his role with the Lakers, he represents a potential silver lining in the Dončić trade. With Dallas dealing with multiple injuries, Christie will likely be asked to take on an even bigger role after the All-Star break.
Mavericks Tried to Sign Ben Simmons Before Clippers Snagged Him
Despite Dallas’ impressive resilience and the emergence of young role players like Christie, the team is in desperate need of frontcourt help after the All-Star break. While they have an open roster spot, financial restrictions from being hard-capped at the first apron have prevented them from signing a buyout candidate—even at the veteran’s minimum. This financial limitation ultimately led to them missing out on new LA Clippers forward Ben Simmons.
Simmons has been a polarizing figure in the NBA since his awkward departure from the Philadelphia 76ers, as he has struggled with explosiveness on offense and has been inconsistent in areas where he previously thrived. However, he remains a highly athletic wing who excels in playmaking and rebounding, and his 6-foot-10, 240-pound frame would have allowed him to fill a small-ball center role in Dallas had circumstances been different.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Mavericks had shown interest in Simmons before the Clippers signed him, though they lacked the financial flexibility to make a move until March when they would have access to a full veteran’s minimum slot. This season, Simmons has averaged 6.2 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.2 rebounds in 25 minutes per game across 33 appearances with the Brooklyn Nets. At 28 years old and still in his athletic prime, it appears that his offensive decline is more due to a lack of confidence stemming from injuries rather than a complete drop-off in skill.
Simmons could have been an effective small-ball center for the Mavericks and would have been the most dynamic passer among their current bigs and wings. He would have provided a valuable short-term solution if Dallas had been able to clear space for him in the buyout market. Instead, he joined a Western Conference rival in the Clippers.
In his Clippers debut against the Utah Jazz, Simmons recorded 12 points on 4-5 shooting, along with seven rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block. While he has struggled with inconsistency and health issues in recent years, it remains to be seen whether the Mavericks missed an opportunity by not making room for him.
Even when Dallas’ injured big men return, the team could have found a role for Simmons as either a starter or a backup wing, depending on his performance. Now, the Mavericks will likely continue searching the buyout market for frontcourt help, as two-way signee Kylor Kelley is currently the only healthy center on their roster.
