The Dallas Mavericks defied expectations to make another playoff appearances, but it was another year without homecourt advantage and a first round exit. As Dirk Nowitzki ages, the Mavs continue to assemble solid but unspectacular teams around him. Dallas has taken it down to the last week or so each of the last few years, but has squeaked into the postseason with the exception of 2013. Despite some pleas to rebuild, Mark Cuban has remained consistent that as long as Nowitzki is a member of the franchise, the front office will keep trying to patch it up.

This past season started with the Mavericks believing they were adding two top flight free agents in Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan, to their core of Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons. Then Jordan backed out of his agreement and the Mavs were left standing in a game of musical chairs. The team honored their commitment to Matthews, even though it was clear they wouldn’t be a contender. The Mavs shifted gears by acquiring Zaza Pachulia in a salary dump from Milwaukee and signing Deron Williams on the cheap after the first waves of free agency wrapped up. 

Matthews was a questionable signing, even if Jordan had come, as he was coming off a torn Achilles’ and was 29 years old at the start of the season. While Matthews certainly had some ups and downs coming back, he was far better at the end of the year than at the beginning. Being on the hook for over $53 million the next three years isn’t great, but the contract doesn’t look as bad as it could have.

Pachulia gave Dallas everything they could have wanted after they acquired him for nothing of value. He nearly averaged a double-double while providing his typically solid defense and upped the agitation factor considerably for the Mavs. By sticking to what he does best and rarely leaving his lane, Pachulia still has plenty of productive years left.

Williams was solid all season in a three to four PG system with Barea, Raymond Felton (who enjoyed a career re-birth) and Devin Harris. Rick Carlisle mixed and matched from game to game and matchup to matchup, often playing those players in groupings together. Despite the lack of size and shooting out of that group, Dallas made it work successfully all year.

And of course Dirk continued to do what Dirk does. He averaged over 18 PPG and grabbed 6.5 RPG. He shot roughly in line with his career norms from deep, but his shooting from inside the arc dropped to a career low since becoming a regular player. In addition, he made it to the FT line at one of the lowest rates of his career. These are signs of significant slippage and that things aren’t coming as easy for him as they once were on the offensive end. However, with better talent around him, he can remain a relevant player on the offensive end for at least another year, possibly two.

That brings us to how the Mavericks should approach the offseason. As mentioned above, there are no intentions to rebuild while Nowitzki is still playing. Dallas will look to re-tool the roster and add pieces, as they have the last few summers. Nowitzki will likely opt out and Dallas will renounce him, and then re-sign him using cap space. This tactic worked for them in the past as a means to free up room for others. Williams has already announced his intentions to opt out as well. The PG market is stocked with players that the Mavs can get similar production out of, so he may or may not return, with timing and price likely answering that. The team would also love a return engagement from Pachulia, but likely in a backup role this time around. He seems happy in Dallas, so it is easy to see the Mavs working out a similar arrangement with Nowitzki by renouncing Pachulia and signing him later with space.

Of the other FAs, Parsons holds the most intrigue. Despite sustaining another serious injury, he seems a lock to opt out and pursue his last big, multi-year contract. Whether or not Dallas has interest in having him back will depend heavily on the contract terms Parsons commands. In addition, his best position going forward is likely to be as a stretch 4, and Dallas already has Nowitzki holding down that spot. Teams could see Parsons as a viable, more versatile alternative to Ryan Anderson, and with the amount of money available this summer, chances are good Parsons will be priced out of Dallas. 

Beyond Parsons, the Mavs' free agents are backup level veterans like Felton, David Lee and Charlie Villanueva. Lee was terrific for Dallas after being bought out by Boston late in the season. He’ll get offers to be a bench big, but a return to the Mavericks shouldn’t be counted out. Felton rejuvenated his career when it was on life support, but he’s still a backup combo guard who isn’t likely to get more than the Mid-Level Exception. Villanueva seems to have found a home in Dallas and could return for the Veteran Minimum or just over. 

The Mavericks also have Dwight Powell as a Restricted Free Agent, who is the lone remaining piece from the ill-fated Rajon Rondo trade. Powell played well and has potential as a backup big. Given the market and the fact that Dallas also has Salah Mejri and JaVale McGee as cheap options in the pivot, Powell is no lock to return. His best bet may be to sign the Qualifying Offer, assuming one comes, and hit the market again next year.

As for newcomers, Dallas will continue to search for an upgrade at PG and on the wing. At PG, you can expect the Mavericks to be linked to a lot of different options. Mike Conley is unrealistic, but players like Jeremy Lin, Brandon Jennings, Greivis Vasquez all make sense. Pursuing a RFA like Matthew Dellavedova, Jordan Clarkson, or Tyler Johnson could be a smart route as well.

On the wing, the Mavericks need to add another shooter to go with Matthews. Given the team’s proclivity towards veterans, players like Courtney Lee, Eric Gordon, Arron Afflalo or Gerald Henderson could all be options. Bigger options who are more true SFs like Luol Deng, Jeff Green, Kent Bazemore, or Brandon Rush could also work. If the Mavs wanted to spend big at the position, they could chase Nic Batum, or a RFA option like Harrison Barnes or Evan Fournier. No matter what, the wing rotation is likely to look very different in Dallas come next season.

Despite having good, cheap options in Mejri and McGee, and a potential return of Pachulia, Dallas will also be linked to FA big men. Dwight Howard has been a long rumored target and could be a viable option. Lesser options like Al Jefferson or Joakim Noah could also be on the table as well.

Dallas is likely looking at a roster that is veteran heavy and filled with short term contracts. Some of them may be slight overpays, but it will only be for a year or two. Maybe a young or undervalued talent shakes free or develops and gives hope for the long term. But for now, Mavericks ownership seems content just to be around the playoff picture for as long as Nowitzki plays.

Offseason Details

Guaranteed Contracts (5): Justin Anderson, J.J. Barea, Jeremy Evans, Devin Harris, Wesley Matthews

Partial/Non-Guaranteed Contracts (2): JaVale McGee, Salah Mejri

Potential Free Agents (8): Raymond Felton (UFA), David Lee (UFA), Dirk Nowitzki (PO – UFA), Zaza Pachulia (UFA), Chandler Parsons (PO – UFA), Dwight Powell (RFA), Charlie Villanueva (UFA), Deron Williams (PO – UFA)

“Dead” Money on Cap (2): $315,759 (Gal Mekel), $437,318 (Maurice N’dour)

First Round Draft Picks: None

Maximum Cap Space: $59,230,396

Projected Cap Space: $25,102,230