The Dallas Mavericks are fifth in the West so far this season, and after 2022, they have a fairly rapid momentum and are one of the best defensive teams in the league. However, the Problem of the Lone Ranger on the offensive end is relatively large. Luka Doncic gradually regained his senses, but the second boss Kristaps Porzingis was a bit of a headache regardless of attendance or stability; point guard Jaylen Brunson grew rapidly, but he looked like a rave, and once he encountered high-intensity confrontation and defense, Brunson's performance would decline significantly. For the Lone Rangers, what is even worse is that the team's sixth man, Hardaway Jr., suffered a serious injury, and it is not possible to determine the comeback time for the time being.
In the middle of the 2018-19 season, Hardaway Jr. came to the Lone Ranger with Porzingis, when he was liquidated by the Knicks as a negative asset. But I have to say that Doncic's containment is indeed too strong, plus the Lone Ranger is indeed better at using Little Hadaway, who played the most efficient performance of his career. Last summer, the Lone Ranger just renewed a four-year new contract with Little Hadaway, although the nerve knife attribute is particularly obvious, and the function is relatively single, but the role of Little Hardaway for the Lone Ranger can not be ignored.
As a result, in the Lone Ranger's away game against the Warriors, Hardaway Jr. only played 10 minutes before being forced to leave the game due to injury, in fact, he felt good in that game, and scored 10 points before the injury. As a result, this accident obviously also affected the strategic deployment of the Lone Ranger, and finally they suffered a fiasco of nearly 40 points, and after the game, Hardaway Jr. was diagnosed with a fracture of the fifth metatarsal bone of his left foot, this kind of injury is actually quite troublesome, and if it goes well, Hardaway Jr. needs a recovery period of 2-3 months, so that he can catch up with the final stage or the playoffs. However, if the recovery effect is average, Little Hardaway has the possibility of early reimbursement. Like the Pelicans' core "Fat Tiger" Cain Williamson, he was originally said to only miss the opening game, but now that the regular season is halfway through, Cain Williamson is still not on the stage. In addition, even if Hardaway Jr. quickly returns, he can return this season, and his state at that time is obviously difficult to guarantee.
In this case, the US media believes that before the upcoming deadline, the Lone Ranger needs to be proactive, especially considering that the big contract of Luka Doncic will take effect next season, when the Lone Ranger will not be able to eat dividends, and it will be more difficult to strengthen. The US media also listed three powerful players who are very suitable for the Lone Ranger and can bring them great help, namely Detroit Pistons forward Geramie Grant, Sacramento Kings shooter Buddy Hield and Houston Rockets veteran Eric Gordon.
Of the three players, Jerami Grant may be the lone ranger's top priority, after all, the team's number four strength needs to be strengthened. Despite injuries, Geralmi Grant remains one of the Pistons' best performers this season, averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Not to mention that Grant was the league's top 3D striker as early as his time with the Thunder, which makes him a good fit to partner with Luka Doncic. The Pistons have been actively peddling Grant, and the Lone Rangers are also struggling for Finney Smith and Jaylen Brunson to become free agents, which makes it possible for the two sides to consider negotiating cooperation.
The Lone Ranger's style of play and playing style have changed a lot this season, and the reason why they are "only" ranked fifth in the West is also because the Lone Rangers' offensive performance is not good enough, their efficiency ranks in the middle and lower reaches, and their three-point shooting rate is simply only ranked sixth in the league, which makes the Lone Ranger completely consider the introduction of Buddy Hield. The Kings' backcourt was overcrowded, and Buddy Hield was forced to top the no. 3 position or serve as a substitute, and in fact he was almost ready to play for the Lakers in the offseason. This season, Buddy Hield averaged 14.9 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game, he is a sharpshooter who has walked through The Leagues' history with three-pointers, Hield is basically among the best. With Doncic around, Hield can play a greater value, the Lone Ranger's on-field space and projected firepower are expected to increase, and Buddy Hield can also get more autonomy to attack.
Rockets veteran Eric Gordon is also among them, averaging 14.6 points, 2 rebounds and 3.2 assists this season, shooting more than 50% from the field and 44.5% from three-point range. Eric Gordon can attack and defend on the court, although the Rockets and the Lone Ranger are in the southwest division, but there are not so many grudges in the business field, as long as the Lone Ranger can open up enough chips, such as draft picks and young players, the Rockets will fully consider reaching a cooperation agreement with them.