May 2, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward
Dirk Nowitzki(41) reacts as San Antonio Spurs forward
Tim Duncan(21) looks on in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Dallas won 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
1. Dallas Mavericks
Record (Last Season): 49-33
Key Addition(s): Chandler Parsons, Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Jameer Nelson
Key Losses: Vince Carter, Jose Calderon (possibly Shawn Marion)
The Mavericks gave the Spurs their toughest challenge in the postseason, taking the eventual champs to seven games in an historic first round. So they simply decided it was time to get better.
There were brief flirtations with Carmelo Anthony and the pipe-dream of LeBron James. Instead, they got an up-and-coming star in Parsons (while weakening an in-state rival), traded the ineffective Samuel Dalembert and 3-point specialist Calderon and picked up a rim-protector (Chandler) and a point guard with promise (Felton). Nelson was a smart pickup as well, a savvy veteran that has yet to taste championship success.
While the loss of Marion (if he moves on to greener pastures) would be tough, owner Mark Cuban has assembled a talented, smart group of veterans and has a deep roster that will probably be a preseason favorite to win the title as well as the Southwest Division.