Category: Dallas Mavericks Blog

Mavericks blog – Dallas Mavericks blog. A great Mavs news blog

Mavericks waive Kemba Walker

The Dallas Mavericks have waived guard Kemba Walker.

Walker (6-0, 184) signed with the Mavericks on Nov. 29, 2022, and played in nine games (1 start) for Dallas with averages of 8.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 16.0 minutes per game. In his start at Cleveland on Dec. 17, 2022, Walker scored a season-high 32 points with five rebounds and seven assists.

Per the Dallas Morning News, “a Mavericks person with knowledge of the situation cited the development of rookie Jaden Hardy and play of McKinley Wright the IV as part of the decision to waive Walker.”

Mavericks guard Luka Doncic named NBA Western Conference Player of Month for Dec. 2022

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić has been named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Month for games played in December, marking the third time in his career he has received the honor (November 2019, February 2022). Dirk Nowitzki (6) is the only other Maverick to win the award multiple times.

Dončić (6-7, 230) averaged 35.1 points (.519 FG%, .424 3FG%), 8.5 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 36.3 minutes in 15 games in December. It marked the highest-scoring month in franchise history (min. 10 games played) and the Mavericks went 11-4 in his 15 appearances during the month (11-6 overall).

The reigning two-time Western Conference Player of the Week scored 30-plus points in 12 of his 15 games in December, including 50-plus points on three occasions. Dončić also notched three of his eight triple-doubles during the month.

The three-time All-Star registered a game-high 50 points (17-30 FG, 6-12 3FG, 10-12 FT) to go along with a team-high eight rebounds, a game-high 10 assists and a game-high-tying three steals in 42 minutes in Dallas’ 112-106 win at Houston on Dec. 23. Dončić became the fourth player in NBA history (since steals were first recorded in 1973-74) to total at least 50 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and three steals in a game, joining James Harden (twice), LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.

Dončić tallied a career-high 60 points (21-31 FG, 2-6 3FG, 16-22 FT) to go along with a career-high 21 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and one block in a career-high 47 minutes in Dallas’ 126-121 come-from-behind win over New York on Dec. 27. Dončić became the first player in NBA history to record a 60-point, 20-rebound triple-double and the second player to post a 60-point triple-double of any kind (Harden, 60 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, vs. Orlando, Jan. 30, 2018). His 60 points also set a new franchise record (previous: 53, Dirk Nowitzki, vs. Houston, Dec. 2, 2004, OT).

The 23-year-old closed out the 2022 calendar year by tallying a game-high 51 points (18-29 FG, 6-10 3FG), including 30 in the first half (22 in the first quarter), to go along with six rebounds, a game-high nine assists, a season-high-tying four steals and one block in 37 minutes in the Mavericks’ 126-125 victory at San Antonio on Dec. 31. He had 42 points through three quarters, breaking a tie with Mark Aguirre (22) for the most 40-point games in franchise history.

Dončić netted 50-plus points three times over his final five games in December, totaling 228 points, 56 boards and 51 assists over that five-game stretch (Dec. 23 to 31). He became the first player in NBA history to total 225-plus points, 50-plus rebounds and 50-plus assists over any five-game run. Dončić also became the first player to record three 50-point games over a five-game span since Harden in January 2019.

For the season, Dončić is averaging a league-high 34.3 points, 8.8 rebounds (22nd in the NBA), 8.9 assists (4th in the NBA) and 1.7 steals (6th in the NBA) in 35 games (all starts).

Dončić has totaled 292 points, 77 rebounds and 69 assists during the Mavericks’ current seven-game win streak (41.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg and 9.0 apg since Dec. 21), which is their longest win streak since their championship season in 2010-11. He is the first player in league history to record 290-plus points, 70-plus rebounds and 60-plus assists over any seven-game stretch.

Mavericks sign AJ Lawson to a two-way contract

The Dallas Mavericks have signed guard AJ Lawson to a two-way contract.

And in a related move, the Mavericks have also requested waivers on two-way guard Tyler Dorsey.

Lawson (6-6, 224) joins Dallas after beginning the season with the G League’s College Park Skyhawks and Iowa Wolves, where he averaged 19.9 points (.527 FG%), 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 33.5 minutes in 13 total games (all starts). Lawson also made his NBA debut while on a Two-Way contract for the Timberwolves in 2022-23 and recorded two points (1-1 FG) and one board in 2 minutes at Orlando on Nov. 16.

The 22-year-old started all five games for the Mavericks at the 2022 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging a team-high 15.6 points (.519 FG%, .500 3FG%, .846 FT%), 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.6 minutes. He signed a Two-Way deal with Minnesota on July 26 before being waived by the franchise on Oct. 14 and joining the Skyhawks for the start of the 2022-23 season. Lawson signed another Two-Way contract with the Timberwolves on Nov. 15 but was again waived by the club on Dec. 7 and returned to College Park.

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Lawson signed with College Park on Sept. 22, 2021, and averaged 11.8 points (.481 FG%), 6.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 31.8 minutes in 33 games (26 starts) for the Skyhawks during the 2021-22 campaign. The Toronto native later signed with the Guelph Nighthawks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League on April 26, 2022, and averaged 16.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 30.5 minutes in 10 games (all starts) for the club.

Lawson was a three-year player at the University of South Carolina, where he totaled 1,153 points, 325 rebounds, 167 assists and 101 steals in 81 games (80 starts) for the Gamecocks. He earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2018-19 (13.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.1 spg) and Second Team All-SEC accolades as a junior in 2020-21 (16.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.5 spg).

Lawson will wear No. 9 for the Mavericks.

Dorsey (6-5, 183) signed a Two-Way deal with Dallas on July 23 and appeared in three games with the Mavericks. He recorded nine points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3FG) and two boards in his Mavericks debut against Memphis on Oct. 22.

Dorsey also saw action in 16 games (all starts) for the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, and averaged 24.2 points (4th in the G League), 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32.5 minutes while shooting 45.6% (115-252 FG) from the field, 45.7% (58-127 3FG) from beyond the arc and 84.0% (63-75 FT) from the foul line.

Dallas Mavericks unveil Dirk Nowitzki statue outside arena

Via the Forth Worth Star-Telegram:

The Dallas Mavericks unveiled a statue to honor Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki prior to their game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Nowitzki statue depicts his famous one-legged jumper, a shot that changed the game. He was a unicorn when he got to the U.S.; a 7-footer who could shoot, pass and dribble and wasn’t just a back-to-the-basket guy. Now, those skills aren’t rare to see in big men. They’re basically required.

The The tributes for Notwitzki officially started in 2019 with Dirk Nowitzki Way, a street that was renamed in Dallas to honor the greatest Mavericks player of all time. Then in January, the Mavs retired his No. 41 jersey. Then in September, Germany retired the No. 14 jersey he wore for his country.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd fined by NBA

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has been fined $25,000 for coming onto the court to confront and direct inappropriate language toward a game official, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Kidd was assessed two technical fouls and ejected, occurred with 2:00 remaining in the third quarter of the Mavericks’ 116-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 19 at Target Center.

Mavericks sign Kemba Walker

The Dallas Mavericks yesterday signed free agent guard Kemba Walker.

Walker (6-0, 178) holds career averages of 19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 33.3 minutes per game in 741 games (696 starts) with Charlotte, Boston and New York. He has shot 36.0% (1,663-4,614 3FG) from 3-point range and 84.0% (2,801-3,333 FT) from the foul line for his career.

The 11-year veteran averaged 20-plus points in five straight seasons from 2015-16 to 2019-20, earning four consecutive All-Star nods from 2017 to 2020. Walker, who garnered All-NBA Third Team accolades with Charlotte in 2018-19, is also a two-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award (2016-17 and 2017-18).

Walker was selected by Charlotte with the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and spent his first eight seasons with the Bobcats/Hornets. On July 6, 2019, he was dealt to Boston along with a 2020 second-round pick in exchange for Terry Rozier and a 2020 second-round selection. After spending two seasons with the Celtics, Walker was traded to Oklahoma City along with a 2021 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round selection in exchange for Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick on June 18, 2021. He was waived by Oklahoma City on Aug. 6, 2021, and signed with New York on Aug. 11, 2021.

After appearing in 37 games (all starts) for the Knicks in 2021-22, the 32-year-old was traded to Detroit along with the draft rights to the 13th overall pick Jalen Duren in exchange for a 2025 first-round selection. Walker was waived by the Pistons on Oct. 17 and became a free agent.

The Bronx native was a three-year player at the University of Connecticut, where as a junior, he led the Huskies to the 2011 national championship en route to being named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding player. Among his other accolades earned in 2011, Walker also took home the Bob Cousy Award for college basketball’s top point guard in the nation.

Walker will wear No. 34 for the Mavericks.

Mavericks waive Facundo Campazzo

The Dallas Mavericks have waived guard Facundo Campazzo.

Campazzo (5-11, 165) first joined the NBA by signing with the Denver Nuggets in November of 2020 after a decorated international career playing in Argentina and Spain. He signed with the Mavericks on Oct. 18, 2022, and played in eight games this season with 10 points, nine assists and six steals.