Let's take a look back and remember
where the Mavericks were a year ago today. They featured an aging
roster centered around Dirk Nowitzki, but not a lot of hope for a
bright future ahead. Chandler Parsons, who was supposed a centerpiece
of the franchise had a second straight season end prematurely after
knee surgery. Who knew what the future held for the franchise but the
lack of building blocks going forward was a serious problem.
Now a year later the Mavs have added
serious hope for the future with Harrison Barnes, Nerlens Noel, Seth
Curry and Dennis Smith Jr. Not to mention solid young rotation pieces
like Yogi Ferrell and Dorian Finney-Smith. Let's take a look back at
how the Mavs have rebuilt their franchise in just a year's time by
acquiring four major pieces that might bring the franchise back into
contention.
It all started last July, after
deciding not to offer a max deal for Parsons due to rightful concerns
about his knee, the Mavs struck out on their top free agents targets
Mike Conley and Hassan Whiteside. It looked like another summer of
picking off the scrap heaps of free agency. Things changed however
when Kevin Durant chose to sign with the Warriors, meaning restricted
free agent, Harrison Barnes would not be back with the team. The Mavs
quickly pounced signing Barnes to a 4 year max deal. There were a lot
of questions at the time whether Barnes was worth that kind of money
after a disappointing Finals. Barnes not only answered those
questions but managed to exceed the most optimistic of predictions.
He proved he could be the focal point of an offense, averaging nearly
20 points a game to lead the team. Not only that he drove raves for
his work ethic and high character, proving to everyone that the
Mavericks had invested wisely in him.
Another signing the Mavs made last
July also paid off in a huge way. Although the contract he received
was in no way close to as lucrative as Barnes, Seth Curry proved he
can be a major contributor in this league in his first year in a
Mavs uniform. Curry has always been the shadow of his MVP older
brother, but he actually managed to best Steph in both field goal
percentage and three point percentage last season. Curry also proved
he wasn't just a shooter as well, showing the ability to get the
basket and finish. Although he has only one year remaining on his
deal, Curry figures to be big part of the Mavericks suddenly bright
future going forward.
It was supposed to be a quiet trade
deadline for the Mavs with the team likely to miss the playoffs but that didn't stop the front office from acquiring a potential
franchise center at a discount rate. With the 76ers having a logjam
at center, the Mavs were able to take advantage, acquiring restricted
free agent to be, Nerlens Noel, for the relatively low price of
Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut and two second round picks. Noel, who
is certain to re-sign with the franchise, gives the Mavericks a
defensive presence in the middle they've only enjoyed during the two
seasons Tyson Chandler was in uniform. Noel has flashed big promise
during his young NBA career, and assuming good health, he gives the
Mavs a backbone defensively they'll need to compete deep into the
postseason in the future.
Injuries, especially a troublesome
Achilles for Dirk, buried the Mavs early last season, pretty much
ensuring that they would miss the playoffs for only the second time
in the last 17 seasons. The bright spot of this was that they got to
pick high in a fairly deep draft. And with that ninth pick they got
maybe their most important building block for their future. Dennis
Smith Jr. has the talent of a top five pick but for various reasons
was available for the Mavs to take at nine. He gives the team an
athleticism at point guard that they've rarely had. Although he
played for a mediocre NC State team, Smith still managed to be named
ACC Freshman of the Year beating out #3 overall pick Jayson Tatum.
Smith's potential seems of the chart and if he can tap into that
immense ability it could go a long way into taking the Mavs back into
the league's elite.
So In 12 months the Mavs through both
good planning and good fortune have gone from a team with a potential
bleak future for the post-Dirk era, to one with a core in place that
if things go right could possibly compete with some of the NBA's
best. What a difference a year makes.
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