Another first-round exit for Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavs; What's needed? New coach? New GM? New owner?

Despite a great effort by Luka Doncic in Game 7, the Dallas Mavericks lost Game 7 to the Clippers and have another first-round playoff exit.

So, what's needed to upgrade?

First, while Kristaps Porzingis is a fine 2A player, would he a be a full No. 2 on an elite team? Probably not. He's NOT "The Unicorn," not with Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokić all better 3-ballers, plus the first two being better defenders and the third a much better all-around player. To put it another way, when coach Rick Carlisle (hold on to that) is praising your "floor spacing," that's a tell.

In addition, ESPN points out what many Mavs fans know. His injury history has cut his mobility and made him a liability on D.

Dwight Powell? Solid PF/C combo. Does he have more of a ceiling?

Maxi Kleber? About a No. 8 player. 

Boban? The "Boban strategy" of Carlisle? Not a difference-maker.

Tim Hardaway Jr.? A probable keeper. Dorian Finney-Smith? A mix of skills and grit and a probably keeper. Jalen Brunson? Room to grow and should.

But, no real No. 2.

Can you get a more well rounded No. 3 in the free agent market?

Like a Will Barton? Or Paul Millsap? A full season of Aaron Gordon with the Nuggets means one or both of them are expendable. (Barton has a player option.)

Most other names on this free agent list likely aren't happening. And, that sets aside fans wondering how well Cuban and Donnie Nelson are as free agent whisperers. Plus, that ESPN piece about the Zinger and the Mavs notes that, per the free agents link, it's likely not happening.

So, a trade deal? Too bad Seth Curry for Josh Richardson backfired, as Mavs fans are noting on Twitter. And, nobody's taking back the Zinger, ESPN says. Unfortunately, ALSO per that ESPN piece, he sounds more and more disgruntled about being a clear second fiddle. Knicks fans will once again be laughing up their sleeves.

It also sets aside whether or not Rick Carlisle, 2011 ring aside, is the best man to be leading the Mavs in the future. I think that's a question more Mavs fans should be asking.

At ESPN, Bobby Marks is handing out receipts on Twitter:

Dallas have been to the playoffs 9 times with Rick Carlisle as Head Coach.

They have lost in the 1st. rd. 7 times.

6 first rd. exits in a row since winning a championship in 2011.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 6, 2021

That's why people like me are questioning.

Sadly, the Cuban sandwich has already said "he stays."

 

And, he's wrong. The Hawks, dead in the water a few months ago, replaced Lloyd Pierce with Nate McMillan midseason — and they're not only in the playoffs, they're still playing.

What if Doncic says no? That ESPN story, by McMahon, also notes the Doncic-Carlisle tensions.

Donnie Nelson? Not great as a GM, but, in many ways, we know who the real GM is. And, contra the header, he's not selling.

So, Mavs fans? (I follow them, but not sure I'd call myself a "fan.") You're stuck. You're stuck with a bad free agent market, a depreciating asset in Porzingis, and a coach who doesn't always see eye to eye with his best player. The Lakers will remain better for a year or two still, at least, as will the Clippers. The Nuggets will remain better for a number of years, as will the resurgent Suns. But, as long as Cuban is satisfied with first-round exits, there you go.