Nick Angstadt here, the host of the daily Locked On Mavericks podcast, with your daily Locked On Mavericks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Mavericks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Mavericks’ Quest for an Elite Defender: Potential Trade Targets and Hidden Gems
Oct 7, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison (right) looks on during warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Memphis Grizzlies at the American Airlines Center. | Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks have shown a knack for unearthing hidden talent and transforming role players into key contributors. Last season, Klay Thompson emerged as a crucial rotation player after joining from the Chicago Bulls. This year, the Atlanta Hawks’ Naji Marshall has become an elite defender. The question now is: can the Mavs find their next defensive stalwart?
The search for an elite wing defender is crucial for the Mavericks’ success. While the current roster is capable of competing with the best when Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are healthy, adding a lockdown defender could elevate the team’s ceiling even further.
Potential Trade Targets
Several players could fit the bill as the Mavericks’ next elite defender. Matisse Thybulle of the Portland Trail Blazers stands out as a prime candidate. Despite being sidelined with injuries, Thybulle’s defensive prowess is well-documented, having already made an All-Defensive Team. His salary also aligns with Maxi Kleber’s, making a potential trade feasible.
Chris Dunn of the Los Angeles Clippers is another intriguing option. Known for his tenacious defense, Dunn could provide the Mavericks with the defensive spark they need. His modest $5 million salary makes him an attainable target.
Haywood Highsmith of the Miami Heat emerges as a dark horse candidate. Playing 25 minutes per game for the Heat, Highsmith has shown flashes of defensive excellence. With Miami’s current struggles, he could be available for the right price.
Hidden Gems on the Roster
The Mavericks might not need to look far for their next defensive standout. Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes have shown potential but haven’t quite reached elite defensive status yet. With more time in the Mavericks’ system, either player could make the leap to become the team’s defensive anchor.
The challenge for any new addition would be carving out minutes in a rotation that already includes solid contributors like Marshall, Thompson, and Grimes. However, if the right player emerges, it could be the final piece in the Mavericks’ championship puzzle.
For more insights and a deeper dive into potential defensive targets for the Mavericks, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
Jan 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. | John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Something I realized last night at the Warriors-Raptors game, perhaps more pressingly than the last time the team was in town a season ago — this thing isn’t going to last forever.
You wouldn’t get that impression from Steph Curry, who takes his pre-game warmup last and happily engages with the fans who show up an hour before tip-off to watch him. Curry’s off-court presence, compared to his superstar contemporaries, has always been demure and private, but watching him revel and work within that outsized adoration is a privilege in itself. No fan in attendance watching him take feathery lob after feathery lob, or take a volleyball spike to the basketball so he could meet it mid-air for a dunk, was thinking about the finite nature of Curry — performer or competitor.
Even if the underlying desire of proximity to greatness stems from the understanding that one day that greatness will no longer exist, that reality doesn’t translate in the moment. In the moment, there’s just Curry, laughing with his coaches, signing the backs of jerseys, going through footwork, prepping for the night’s game.
Where the impression of a dynasty in its final stages becomes more pronounced is through the words of Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. Asked about how difficult it is to maintain a dynasty, and Kerr reverted to Curry.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Analysis TheDetroit Pistons are emerging as a serious surprise story this season. (TSN)
Biz Explosive court documents show co-conspirators and other shocking details in Jontay Porter’s ongoing betting scandal. (The Athletic)
Roster Satou Sabally has officially left the Dallas Mavericks, leaving the team with a significant void to fill. The next steps for the Mavericks will be crucial in maintaining their competitive edge. More details on the situation can be found here. (Mavs Moneyball)
Analysis As the season progresses, the Mavericks’ performance has been under scrutiny. Reflecting on the season so far, it’s clear that there are areas needing improvement. (Mavs Moneyball)
Preview The Mavericks host the Nuggets tonight at 8:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Injury Update: Key Players Sidelined and Return Timelines For Fantasy Basketball
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) attempts a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, injuries continue to play a significant role in shaping team dynamics and fantasy basketball strategies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most impactful injuries across the league and their potential implications.
The Utah Jazz are once again at the forefront of injury-related drama. Lauri Markkanen’s back spasms and John Collins’ hip issue have raised eyebrows, with many speculating about potential load management strategies. Keyonte George’s heel soreness has kept him out for five consecutive games, while Jordan Clarkson’s plantar fascia injury could potentially end his season. The Jazz’s injury situation is one to monitor closely, as it could lead to increased opportunities for players like Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s knee injury has kept him out for four consecutive games. This absence highlights the risks associated with drafting Embiid in the first round of fantasy drafts. With a busy schedule ahead, including back-to-back sets, Embiid’s playing time could be limited even upon his return.
For more insights and a deeper dive into NBA injuries and their fantasy implications, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Portland Trail Blazers injury updates
• Phoenix Suns roster changes and injury concerns
• Orlando Magic’s lengthy injury report and fantasy implications
The Dallas Mavericks suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Denver Nuggets despite building a 19-point lead. How did the Mavs, playing without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, manage to compete against a healthy Nuggets squad featuring Nikola Jokic?
The Dallas Mavericks secured a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers with a crucial 16-0 run in the fourth quarter. Despite missing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavs showcased their depth and resilience in this NBA matchup.
The Dallas Mavericks secured a crucial victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, showcasing their resilience without key players. How did the Mavs overcome the absence of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to defeat LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Lakers?
