NBA: 30 Storylines Driving The 2015-16 Season
Apr 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates during the game against the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Mavericks – Needing to Win the Trade Deadline
The Dallas Mavericks have become that awkward friend who can’t get the girl he likes no matter what. Year after year the Mavericks seemingly have infinite cap room and all indications point to them landing a top tier free agent, but then year after year they just can’t seem to seal the deal.
This summer though, something amazing happened. They did it. They got DeAndre Jordan, arguably the most sought after free agent (in a pretty weak free agent class in comparison to others in recent years), to agree to terms on a max deal. At last someone was ready to take all of that money that Mark Cuban was looking to hand out. But, then he wasn’t. Call it foul play by the Clippers, or unprofessionalism by Jordan, but the fact of the matter is that DeAndre changed his mind and walked away from the Mavericks just as quickly as he reached them.
So the Maverick’s signing of note ended up being the year’s early 3-point champ (who was eventually sidelined by injury), Wesley Matthews. They brought in former All-Star Deron Williams, whom the Nets bought out a year before his deal was actually set to expire. In addition, a number of savvy veterans fill out the remainder of the roster.
As it currently stands, the team is built to reach the playoffs. In a stacked Western Conference I don’t see them cracking into the top four seeds, however the lower few are certainly in reach for the team. That’s not exactly where the Mavs hoped to be, however.
If you want to build your team and free agency isn’t exactly working out for you, the other two options are the draft and trades. The draft isn’t really all that practical for the Maverick roster. Dirk Nowitzki is on his last legs in the NBA, and the Mavericks want to win while he’s still around, plus I don’t think that the phrase “bottoming out” is in Mark Cuban’s vocabulary.
The Mavericks need to make all of the right moves by the NBA’s trade deadline this season. They don’t need to hit a home run and land a superstar talent mid-season.
However, a few smart moves that fill gaps and better your team will instantly up your stock in a number of ways. Besides possibly reaching the upper seeds of the West because of an improved record, the opportunity is there to sign a big fish in the off-season because of your team’s improved look.
Next: Nets: Hope?