Power Rankings
Overall rank: 18th
Tier: Playoff Hopefuls
Projected Seeding: 10th in West
Poor Mavericks. After star C DeAndre Jordan gave Dallas his word that he would sign with them, the team let starting C Tyson Chandler walk in free agency, only to see Jordan have a sudden change of heart and re-sign with the Clippers. The Mavs also let PG Rajon Rondo and SG Monta Ellis go during this saga, partially in order to open up cap space for DeAndre. To Dallas’ credit, however, they replaced Rondo and Ellis by bringin in the bought-out PG Deron Williams and SG/SF Wesley Matthews, respectively, which is practically an even swap in the backcourt. They also did excellent at center considering the circumstances, acquiring Zaza Pachulia and also signing Javale McGee and Samuel Dalembert. The Mavericks also have a pair of offensive stars in SF Chandler Parsons and PF Dirk Nowitzki, to round out a decent starting five. However, the bench is lacking despite some solid offensive firepower, and Nowitzki is really getting up there in years (37). With Dallas playing in the tough Southwest Division and an even tougher Western Conference, it seems likely that they’ll fall just short of the playoffs after a hard-fought battle for the #8 seed in the Wild West.
Overall rank: 18th
Tier: Playoff Hopefuls
Projected Seeding: 10th in West
Poor Mavericks. After star C DeAndre Jordan gave Dallas his word that he would sign with them, the team let starting C Tyson Chandler walk in free agency, only to see Jordan have a sudden change of heart and re-sign with the Clippers. The Mavs also let PG Rajon Rondo and SG Monta Ellis go during this saga, partially in order to open up cap space for DeAndre. To Dallas’ credit, however, they replaced Rondo and Ellis by bringin in the bought-out PG Deron Williams and SG/SF Wesley Matthews, respectively, which is practically an even swap in the backcourt. They also did excellent at center considering the circumstances, acquiring Zaza Pachulia and also signing Javale McGee and Samuel Dalembert. The Mavericks also have a pair of offensive stars in SF Chandler Parsons and PF Dirk Nowitzki, to round out a decent starting five. However, the bench is lacking despite some solid offensive firepower, and Nowitzki is really getting up there in years (37). With Dallas playing in the tough Southwest Division and an even tougher Western Conference, it seems likely that they’ll fall just short of the playoffs after a hard-fought battle for the #8 seed in the Wild West.