Anthony Davis’ return is admirable, but misguided as Mavericks compete for a Play-In spot they shouldn’t want in 2025.
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Anthony Davis’ Return is Admirable, But Misguided as Mavericks Compete for a Play-In Spot They Shouldn’t Want Anthony Davis
In the fast-paced world of the NBA, the race for playoff spots and the potential for a deep postseason run often brings out the best and worst in teams. For the Dallas Mavericks, the current situation embodies both of these extremes: an admirable effort from their star player, Luka Dončić, and the return of key players like Anthony Davis for the Los Angeles Lakers, who are both battling to position themselves in the middle of the standings. As the Mavericks’ fate comes down to whether they make the Play-In Tournament or not, it is imperative to take a closer look at the philosophical question at the heart of their competition for one of these final spots: Should the Mavericks even want to make it into the Play-In Tournament at all? Despite the promising return of Anthony Davis, the idea of entering the Play-In Tournament is more misguided than admirable for the Mavericks, who should reframe their focus away from this low-risk, high-reward gamble.
This essay will explore why the Mavericks, with their current roster, shouldn’t prioritize competing for a Play-In spot, particularly given the injury history of their superstar, Luka Dončić, and the potential long-term cost of a Play-In push. The discussion will analyze the flaws in the Play-In Tournament concept itself, evaluate the Mavericks’ roster, and conclude that their best path forward would be one that values long-term growth over a short-term playoff appearance.
Understanding the Play-In Tournament: The Good and the Bad Anthony Davis
The Play-In Tournament, a relatively new addition to the NBA postseason format, was introduced in the 2020-2021 season to inject more excitement into the league’s playoff race. Under the current format, the teams ranked 7th to 10th in each conference compete for a spot in the playoffs. The 7th and 8th place teams play each other, with the winner earning the 7th seed, while the 9th and 10th place teams face off to determine who gets a second chance to compete for the final playoff spot.
While the Play-In Tournament creates excitement and gives teams on the cusp of playoff contention a shot at making the postseason, the concept itself can be flawed for teams in situations like the Mavericks. The Play-In can be a low-risk, high-reward situation for teams that are just trying to get into the playoffs, but there are significant drawbacks when looking at the bigger picture.
For one, the odds of a deep postseason run for teams that barely scrape into the playoffs are much lower. Historically, the higher-seeded teams—who finish the regular season with more wins—have a much greater chance of advancing beyond the first round, even when they face lower-seeded teams. With the pressure of playing for their playoff lives in a high-stakes tournament, it’s unlikely that the Mavericks, as currently constructed, could make any significant noise in the playoffs even if they do manage to secure a Play-In spot.
Luka Dončić’s Injury Concerns: A Case Against the Play-In Tournament Anthony Davis
The Mavericks are fortunate to have one of the NBA’s brightest young stars in Luka Dončić, who has proven his ability to carry a team on his back and deliver in big moments. However, Dončić’s injury history should be a significant factor in evaluating whether the Mavericks should push for a Play-In spot. Luka’s body has been a cause for concern as he has had recurring issues with his ankles and knee, which has caused him to miss several games in the past few seasons.
Dončić is undoubtedly one of the most gifted players in the NBA, but the physical toll of carrying a team—particularly a team with inconsistent supporting players—could take its toll on his health, especially if the Mavericks continue to push for a low-seed playoff spot. The intensity of the Play-In Tournament would force Dončić into high-pressure, must-win games, which may not be ideal if he’s not fully healthy or dealing with lingering injuries. Given how often Luka has been sidelined, pushing for the Play-In spot could jeopardize his health, further complicating the Mavericks’ future plans.
Instead of gambling with his long-term health, the Mavericks should consider the benefits of resting Luka and allowing him to fully heal. Given the wear and tear that comes with a full season, Luka could benefit from sitting out some games and being properly managed heading into the next season. Forcing him into a high-risk situation, such as the Play-In Tournament, only to make a first-round exit would not be ideal for the team’s future. The Mavericks need to build around Luka for the long haul, and that means prioritizing his well-being.
Roster Construction and the Lack of Support Around Luka Anthony Davis
Another compelling reason why the Mavericks shouldn’t prioritize a Play-In push is the glaring issue with the team’s supporting cast. While Luka Dončić can carry the offense for stretches, his effectiveness becomes limited when he doesn’t have consistent help around him. The Mavericks have lacked a second star or reliable contributors who can share the scoring load, making them too dependent on Luka’s performances.
The addition of Kyrie Irving was supposed to help take some of that load off Luka’s shoulders, but the fit between the two stars has been far from seamless. Kyrie is undeniably talented, but there are concerns about his off-court distractions, health, and his ability to mesh with Luka. The two play similar roles and while both are exceptional individual players, the synergy required for a deep playoff run hasn’t been evident yet.
The rest of the roster is equally inconsistent. Players like Christian Wood, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Spencer Dinwiddie are capable of being contributors on the right night, but they lack the consistency to perform in the high-stakes environment of a playoff series. The Mavericks’ supporting cast is not good enough to compete with the top-tier teams in the NBA, which makes it clear that competing in the Play-In Tournament, even if successful, is unlikely to lead to any long-term success.
Instead of pushing for a short-term Play-In appearance, the Mavericks should look to build a more stable roster around Luka, starting with a reliable second star. Dallas should prioritize improving the consistency and talent of its supporting players in the offseason, whether that means adding a true wing scorer or improving their depth in key areas like defense or rebounding.
A Short-Term Playoff Appearance Is Not Worth Sacrificing the Future Anthony Davis
The reality is that making the Play-In Tournament and potentially advancing to the playoffs is unlikely to provide the Mavericks with much more than a brief playoff appearance that won’t substantially benefit the team in the long term. The road to the NBA Finals for teams that finish in the Play-In Tournament is incredibly difficult, and the Mavericks lack the depth and versatility to make a deep run even if they manage to make the playoffs.
Moreover, the Mavericks’ draft position would be better served by missing the playoffs altogether. While the idea of making the playoffs and gaining experience in high-stakes games sounds appealing, the reality is that the NBA Draft offers the chance to add a talented young player that could immediately impact the team. By competing for a low-seed playoff spot, the Mavericks risk missing out on a better draft pick that could help accelerate their rebuild around Luka.
The team is still in a relatively early phase of its competitive window, and the Mavericks should be focused on building for the long term rather than chasing a fleeting, potentially damaging playoff run. Missing out on this year’s postseason may be a bitter pill to swallow in the short term, but the long-term health of the franchise will benefit from a more calculated approach. By securing a better draft pick and working on roster improvements, the Mavericks can position themselves for a true title run within the next few years.
Looking to the Future: Rebuilding with Patience Anthony Davis
Ultimately, the Mavericks’ best course of action is to step back and reassess their goals for the future. Luka Dončić is a generational talent, but he needs more help if the Mavericks are to contend for an NBA Championship. That help cannot be found in a rushed, ill-conceived Play-In push. Instead, Dallas should focus on building a roster that complements Luka’s unique skillset while addressing the team’s critical deficiencies.
This means looking toward a future that prioritizes long-term growth rather than immediate results. Whether that means securing another star player, solidifying the team’s depth, or developing the right chemistry between Luka and his teammates, the Mavericks must plan for the future rather than gambling on a short-term Play-In run that is unlikely to bear significant fruit.
Conclusion: The Play-In Tournament as a Short-Sighted Goal Anthony Davis
In conclusion, while the return of Anthony Davis for the Los Angeles Lakers and the competitive spirit of the Mavericks’ star player Luka Dončić may inspire excitement, the idea of the Mavericks pushing for a Play-In spot is ultimately misguided. The team’s roster, although talented, isn’t yet constructed for a deep playoff run, and risking Luka’s health and long-term development for a fleeting Play-In appearance is not in their best interest.
Dallas should shift its focus from a desperate Play-In push to long-term planning, including improving its supporting cast, securing a higher draft pick, and developing the roster with a more strategic vision. In the world of professional basketball, especially in a competitive conference like the Western Conference, long-term success is more important than a short-term, potentially meaningless playoff appearance.
For the Mavericks, patience, prudent roster management, and maintaining Luka’s health should be the priorities moving forward. Only then can the team build around its superstar for a legitimate championship run. A Play-In spot is a distraction at this point, and the Mavericks must resist the temptation of a quick fix.
