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DALLAS MAVERICKS: STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

State of the Franchise

Projected Cap Space (before luxury tax): $33.4 million

Background: In a flurry of moves over the last few years, the Dallas Mavericks have built a very impressive starting five around all-time great PF Dirk Nowitzki, despite striking out on countless big names in free agency. First it was the signing of unwanted SG Monta Ellis on an extremely reasonable 3 year/$27 million deal. After a first round exit with too much of the scoring load placed on Ellis and Nowitzki, Dirk decided to take a major pay cut, signing 3 year/$25 million deal with Dallas, despite rumors of 4 year/$88 million offers from Houston and LA. This allowed the Mavericks to give SF Chandler Parsons a necessary overpay, to the tune of 3 years/$45 million. Then the Mavericks dealt PG Jose Calderon and a couple of prospects and second round picks in a deal that brought defensive anchor C Tyson Chandler back to Dallas. The center played a major role in the Mavericks’ championship season in 2011, where Nowitzki was named Finals MVP. The only position where they did not have a star, or at least, a quality starting player, was PG. This problem was quickly solved just a couple of months into this season, as the Mavericks traded away a couple of picks and several role players to the Boston Celtics in a deal involving pass-first PG Rajon Rondo. The starting five was complete, but the draft picks and role players were not. 

Current Financial State: Both Chandler’s and Rondo’s contracts expire at the end of this year, and assuming they want to re-sign, most of that $29 million will go towards ensuring these two defensive studs stick around. Rondo’s current $13 million seems fair, although he could command a million or two more per year over three or maybe four years.  Chandler, on the other hand, is making $14.6 million a year, and for a guy who barely scores in the double digits, he’s due for a pay cut. Something to the tune of a two or three year contract with $11 or $12 million per year would make sense. Monta Ellis has a player option for $9 million that he will likely take, and even if he doesn’t, Dallas could always give him a longer-term contract for about the same value. So it seems likely that keeping Rondo and Tyson around takes $26 million out of that $33.4 million the Mavericks have before they hit the luxury tax. However, outspoken owner Mark Cuban will probably be more than willing to dive into the luxury tax for the better of the team.  

Targets: As mentioned above, the main goals for Dallas in free agency are to re-sign Rondo and Chandler, as well to as bolster their bench in order to aid their playoff hopes. After trading PF/C Brandan Wright to the Boston Celtics as part of the deal for Rondo, the Mavericks lack a big man off the bench who can relieve the aging Dirk and Chandler of minutes and protect the rim as well as Wright has done. Fortunately for Dallas, Wright is on the last year of his contract and becomes a free agent this summer. He can be acquired for something like a 2 year/$10 million deal. Wright is perfect for Dallas because he already knows the system and plays well in it, too. Before getting Rondo, Dallas was having a historically great year on the offensive side of the ball. However, on the other side, they were below average. Although they improved their defense by adding Rondo, they still have two below average defenders on the wings in Ellis and Parsons. They can plug this hole by signing SG/SF Iman Shumpert (CLE), a defensive specialist. Shumpert, however, is extremely offensively challenged, and shouldn’t be handed a contract worth over $5-6 million annually over 2 or 3 years, even though he is restricted to Cleveland. Lastly, Dallas needs a point guard who can score off the bench to lead the second unit and make up for Rondo's lack of scoring. PG Nate Robinson fits this role and could be signed to a 2 year/$4 million deal, as he’s actually a free agent who the Mavericks can sign right now. His ability to score off the bench at PG could be the final piece in the Mavericks’ quest for the championship. 

The Fit: Wright fits perfectly for Dallas because he has played for them before and is the type of big man they need off the bench. He can protect the rim and is excellent in their pick and roll. Before being traded to Boston, he was averaging above 70% shooting from the field. Shumpert is another beautiful fit for Dallas because he and Chandler  were teammates in New York a couple of years back. He is the defensive stopper they need on the wing to make up for Ellis and Parsons' struggles on that side of the ball. Nate Robinson would mesh well in Dallas because he can score, which helps to make up for Rondo's deficiency in that department. If Dallas can maintain their starting 5 and repair their bench this offseason, they will be in good shape to win the title.
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