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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 29: Kristaps Porzingis (6) of the Dallas Mavericks questions being called for charging Paul Millsap (4) of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 29: Kristaps Porzingis (6) of the Dallas Mavericks questions being called for charging Paul Millsap (4) of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
During the 2020 Playoffs, Dallas Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis suffered a knee injury in Game 1 against the LA Clippers. After going for surgery, Mavericks’ president Donnie Nelson has confirmed that Porzingis will miss the start of the 2020-21 season.
“We’re going to make sure that that’s 100 percent before we put him out there. So that’s going to be into the season before we are able to have him join us,” Nelson said.
So far in his career, Porzingis has had multiple bouts with injuries. Therefore, the Mavericks need him to get ample rest so that when he returns, he can play at his 100%. He is currently one of the most skilled big men in the league. Not only can Porzingis defend the paint brilliantly, but he is also one of the better big man shooters in the league.
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Big season upcoming for the Dallas Mavericks?
The 2020-21 season could be the biggest season for the Mavericks since their 2011 NBA title win. Since they drafted Luka Doncic in 2018, their franchise has begun its path to greatness again. They broke their three-year barren run without playoffs last season, and in the upcoming season, they can go past the first round for the first time since 2011.

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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 29: Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks yells, “and one,” after making a shot, but not getting call from contact by Paul Millsap (4) of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Dallas’ 106-109 win on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
The Mavericks are also reportedly in talks to trade for Lou Williams. The Clippers are interested in trading for the Mavs’ 18th pick and are willing to throw in the three-time Sixth Man of the Year for it. While on paper the Mavericks are getting a good deal, the need of the hour is a defender and not another scorer.
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Since the West is getting tougher, the Mavs need reinforcements during the off-season too. Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley are two very underrated two-way players in the league and the Mavericks should target them both in free agency.

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SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 12: #11 Avery Bradley of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during a preseason game as part of 2019 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universiade Center on October 12, 2019 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Keeping Porzingis healthy is also going to be a big factor in how the Mavs perform in the upcoming season. They need him healthy throughout the season to keep up with the Lakers and the Warriors. He and Doncic will evolve more with better chemistry. They have the potential to be one of the most dangerous duos in the West.
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ALSO READ – NBA Trade Rumors: LA Clippers Ready to Give Up Lou Williams for Draft Pick
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