Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: A blueprint moving forward for the 6 worst teams in the league

By Evan Dyal

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 111-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 111-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 25: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks during play in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on February 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 25: Nerlens Noel #3 of the Dallas Mavericks during play in the first quarter at American Airlines Center on February 25, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas is 2-12 and are losing games by almost 10 points per game. They did just win at Washington, and that shows the effort they play with and how well coached they are. Rick Carlisle is one of the best in the league, and it shows on a nightly basis.

But aside from Carlisle and Dennis Smith Jr., who appears to be a future star, the Mavs’ future is a bit murky.

Dirk Nowitzki is at the end of the road, and if he doesn’t retire this year, it will be next year. Dallas cant do anything with him; he is Dirk, and he can do what he wants.

They must answer the Nerlens Noel question, though. This offseason, Noel signed a cheap one-year deal and decided to bet on himself. He wants his next summer. But he hasn’t exactly played all that well to begin the season. He even earned a DNP-CD last week.

That’s something the Mavs need to figure out sooner rather than later.

Harrison Barnes is good, but not great. He’s a prototypical small-ball four, but isn’t a guy you build around.

Then there are the three veterans: Wesley Matthews, J.J Barea and Devin Harris. All of these players can help contenders and don’t fit Dallas’s future timeline. I would look to move all of them at the deadline if possible. If they can’t Harris and Matthews are free agents this summer, and I would let them walk.

They shouldn’t let Seth Curry walk, though. Curry is out right now with an injury, but last year he showed he can play. I would re-sign him; he could play next to Smith or come off the bench as a combo guard. Curry is one of the few players who fit their future timeline.

Dallas only has its first-round pick in this year’s draft so when they try to trade one of those veterans they should look to get a second-round pick. A young core of Smith, Cury, Barnes, Noel (if he re-signs), Yogi Ferell and Dwight Powell is not awful. Add another good first-round pick, and it gets better. Hopefully, they can get more picks and young assets by trading the veterans.

The Mavericks are like the Hawks. Well coached and they play hard, but they have too many veterans that don’t help them win now or in the future. Get rid of them and start fresh.

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