The Dallas Mavericks reportedly asked the NBA for financial help in an attempt to alleviate its current injury situation. The Mavericks’ request came just hours after Mavericks Power Forward PJ Washington Jr. confronted a fan shouting “Fire Nico” during a free throw on Sunday afternoon. After the game, Washington Jr. told reporters that he didn’t want to hear “Fire Nico” from the fans, stating trades happen and the Mavericks are a new team.
Washington Jr.’s statement was followed up with a statement from Mavericks Shooting Guard Max Christie. Christie said that the trade definitely wasn’t pleasant to hear, but he can’t really comment much. He added that he and his fellow players get paid a bunch of money to play basketball before stating that they’re professional basketball players who shouldn’t let distractions affect them.
Dallas Mavericks Ask the NBA
The Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick. The Utah Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection, and the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick. The three-team trade sent shockwaves throughout the NBA world and shifted the Western Conference’s balance of power.
The Mavericks were affected by injuries and inconsistencies before the Doncic trade. However, Dallas is at risk of having to forfeit games in the 2024-25 NBA season — a danger that has never happened in the NBA’s history. The league requires all 30 teams to have eight active players. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison reportedly asked the league for financial leniency to sign free agents as short-term solutions, but had no luck as of late.
Dallas Mavericks’ Outlook
The Dallas Mavericks’ outlook appears dim. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said in an episode of “The Hoop Collective” podcast, “From what I understand, [the Mavericks] have asked the league for relief, and the league to this point has not offered them relief.” The NBA hasn’t cooperated or allowed financial aid for the Mavericks’ situation. Should the league decide to help the Mavericks, the NBA would likely receive backlash from other teams.
The Mavericks are in a tough spot, but the team is partially responsible for its woes. The Mavericks’ decisions to rush players back (e.g., Anthony Davis), have players playing more minutes than necessary (e.g., Kyrie Irving), and trade healthy players for injury-prone ones (e.g., Quentin Grimes for Caleb Martin) have all backfired. The Mavericks have been affected by bad luck, but bad turned to worse with the possibility of forfeiting games.
What’s Next For the Mavericks?
The Dallas Mavericks’ next game is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern against the Indiana Pacers. The Mavericks’ away game against the Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse is a non-conference matchup, but a crucial game on the road. The Mavericks currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference at 23.5 games back while the Phoenix Suns are on the outside looking in 11th place in the West at 24.5 games back.
Previously, Dallas fell to the Philadelphia 76ers, 130-125, on Sunday afternoon. Former Dallas Maverick Quentin Grimes led the 76ers with 28 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists. Grimes followed up with a career-high 46 points in a 144-137 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday night. He has been thriving with his new team and city, which sparked some Mavericks and NBA fans to slam Harrison on X.
