NBA Power Rankings: 2016-17 Training Camp Edition

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Larry O
Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with the Larry O
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Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks may have felt that they got the steal of the NBA offseason, in signing Harrison Barnes away from the Golden State Warriors, but this team is just not on par with the majority of the other teams in the Western Conference.

Dirk Nowitzki and Deron Williams are both a year older, and while Andrew Bogut doesn’t nearly get enough credit, he’s not a difference maker. The hope, I suppose, is that Barnes relishes as one of the team’s top scoring option, and Wes Matthews, a full year removed from his achilles injury, begins to look more and more like his former self.

Still, even assuming the best-case scenario, I’m still not sure this Dallas Mavericks team makes the playoffs.