NBA Analyst: Paul George Beats Kyrie as Luka’s Ideal Co-Star!

Colin Cowherd recently shared his candid opinion on what the Dallas Mavericks need next to Luka Doncic after their loss in the 2024 NBA Finals. Despite Luka’s successful partnership with Kyrie Irving this season, Cowherd believes that Paul George would be a better fit as a two-way second option.

Cowherd stated, “Paul George is the perfect player for Luka. He probably doesn’t want the final shot, but Luka does. He’s an excellent defender, can score 30 points in non-pressure situations, and can allow Luka to take a backseat when needed. However, in crucial moments, Paul tends to take odd or poor shots, which Luka avoids.”

Cowherd explained why he thinks Kyrie isn’t the ideal co-star for Luka, saying, “Kyrie isn’t a fit. He’s a poor defender, inconsistent, and needs the ball. Paul George, on the other hand, fits everywhere and works well with everyone.”

This perspective is bold, especially since Doncic and Irving proved to be a potent offensive duo, reaching the NBA Finals through a challenging Western Conference and even defeating George and the Clippers in the process. Irving averaged 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, while George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in a setup with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

On paper, George might seem like a smoother fit due to his two-way abilities and less ball-dominant style, benefiting from the opportunities Luka creates. However, the Mavericks need Kyrie’s versatility to keep their offense unpredictable. While George would be a great option alongside Luka, it’s difficult to argue against the proven success of the Doncic-Irving pairing.

Former NBA player Raymond Felton suggested the Mavericks should create a “Big 3” with Luka, Kyrie, and George, noting that the Sixers are trying a similar approach. However, acquiring George would be challenging for the Mavericks due to salary cap constraints. They might struggle to re-sign key players like Derrick Jones Jr., let alone pursue George. A sign-and-trade with the Clippers could be an option, but it would likely involve losing key pieces like P.J. Washington or Josh Green, and contracts such as Maxi Kleber and Tim Hardaway Jr.

If the Mavericks could retain Washington and still make the deal, they might consider it. However, building a contender under the salary cap limitations with a big three might not be realistic, despite it being an appealing idea.