With the Mavericks currently out of the playoff picture and with a high-draft pick hanging in the balance, the team is considering shutting down Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić for the rest of the season, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
“I’m told that the organization is seriously considering the possibility of shutting down those three [sic] guys,” he said Monday on FanDuel TV. “They have a top 10 protected pick. So being out of the play-in race, it behooves them not to try and keep their pick.”
Charania said Dallas would be in a position this offseason to trade their the first-round pick and more to try and get another solid piece on the roster.
“I think the Mavericks have to seriously look at whether you shut down Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving these last 3 games of the regular season” 😬@ShamsCharania on the #Mavs mindset going into the final 3 games#RunItBack #MFFL pic.twitter.com/IPqgwS2YHm
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) April 3, 2023
The Mavericks (37–42) are the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference as of Monday afternoon but are separated from the No. 9 seed Timberwolves by just two wins. Dallas would just need to finish in the No. 10 seed to make the play-in tournament, but the franchise may elect to cut its losses early.
The Mavericks just have three games left in this season. First the Kings on Wednesday, then the Bulls on Friday and their regular season finale will be against the Spurs on Sunday.
