NBA Hall of Famer says Mavericks ‘missing a leader’ as Dallas tries to keep playoff hopes alive

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The Dallas Mavericks are on the verge of missing the playoffs after making a desperation move at the trade deadline to acquire Kyrie Irving. 

The Mavs sit a half-game back of the final spot in the NBA’s play-in tournament with just three games remaining on their regular season schedule. 

Kyrie Irving #2 of the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.  (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Since acquiring Irving, the Mavericks are 7-12 when Irving has played and have been terrible defensively, allowing 117.9 points per game since trading with the Brooklyn Nets.  

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Tim Hardaway Sr., whose son plays for Dallas, said Wednesday on "The Carton Show" that the trade for Irving has been the Mavericks' downfall. 

"Me personally, that trade wasn’t for them," Hardway Sr. said, "I think I would have kept what I had because I was in the 4th, 5th spot. What is not broken does not need to be fixed. And it’s not Kyrie’s fault. Everyone wants to put it on Kyrie Irving. It’s not Kyrie’s fault." 

"They’re missing a leader," he added. "They’re missing a leader out there. Luka [Doncic] is not a leader. Kyrie is not a leader. Jalen Brunson was a leader."

The Mavericks are in a precarious position as the end of the regular season nears, in danger of losing their 2023 NBA Draft pick if they fall outside the top 10 and having no idea if Irving will return to Dallas next season. 

Irving will be a free agent after the season and the Mavericks could lose the eight-time All-Star for nothing after sending Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith,