Dallas Mavericks: The Time To Win Is Now
Despite their recent swings and misses in free agency leading up to the 2014 offseason, there were reasons behind the strategy the Dallas Mavericks chose to employ. Clearly the Mavericks’ decision not to retain many of the key players that led them to their first championship looks worse in retrospect, as it took Dallas three years to acquire a highly sought after free agent.
The Mavericks had anticipated a free agent market that would lead to salary cap-conscience teams carefully spending their money. The new collective bargaining agreement signed in December of 2011 severely taxed teams that exceeded the NBA’s salary cap threshold. Dallas was planning to be one of the few organizations with the ability to offer a max contract to a prospective free agent.
The Mavericks had salary-cap flexibility, but for two seasons they failed to make the free-agent splash they desired. Going from an NBA championship in 2011 to a middle-of-the-road team was far from what Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson envisioned when this plan was put in place.
The third year of free agency with salary-cap flexibility proved to be the charm for the Dallas franchise. Dirk Nowitzki’s decision to accept a contract that was far beneath market value (three years for $25 million) allowed the Mavericks to pursue and sign Houston Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons to a three-year contract for $46 million.
Parsons joins Nowitzki, Monta Ellis and the re-acquired Tyson Chandler as the cornerstones of the Mavericks 2014-15 team. Acquiring Tyson Chandler did not come without its cost as Dallas has to include 2013 first-round draft pick Shane Larkin in the deal. The Mavericks’ willingness to trade first-round picks like Larkin demonstrate the current direction and strategy of the Dallas franchise.
Now is the time
The Mavericks championship window still firmly revolves around superstar forward Dirk Nowitzki. He may be 36 years old as his 17th season approaches, but his play suggest there are still a few great years ahead for the big German.
This fact is not lost on Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson and their actions are indicative of that. Dallas is going to do everything within their means to contend now, regardless of what effect that may have the team in three or four years.
Dallas is still cautious in terms of dispensing long-term contracts, but they are clearly not a team looking to develop young players at the expense of wins while trying to contend in the Western Conference.
Would it have been nice to see what 2013 first-round pick Shane Larkin could have done in Dallas? This is certainly the case, but not at the expense of landing Tyson Chandler via trade with the New York Knicks. Chandler was acquired in a six-player deal that instantly upgrades the Mavericks at the center position.
These are the decisions the Mavericks are faced with as they attempt to surround Dirk Nowitzki with the best possible team. When you are trying to build a team that has the ability to contend in the Western Conference, you cannot afford to wait around on maybes. Larkin could become a fine point guard in the NBA, but he would have been at best a role player this season in Dallas.
The decision to trade Shane Larkin is just one example of what the Mavericks are doing to put another championship ring on Nowitzki’s hand. Head coach Rick Carlisle spoke to the media on Sept. 23 about the thought process in Dallas. “When you don’t win it all, you’re one of 29 tied for last.”
Rebuilding in the NBA is an arduous process, and there could be a time when this becomes a viable option, but now is not that time. Rebuilding is often a long-term proposition, and examples of teams that are struggling to return to relevancy are not hard to find.
The Orlando Magic are still far from being competitive in the Eastern Conference since trading Dwight Howard in 2012, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are now starting over for the second time since trading Kevin Garnett in 2007.
The plan to surround Nowitzki with a talented group of players via free agency and trade may have taken a few years, but the Mavericks are now in a position to contend. Dallas will be fielding the most talented roster they have had since their 2011 championship squad, and expectations are just that.
If the Mavericks find they still have a need to fill when the NBA trade deadline rolls around in February, don’t be surprised to see them shop a conditional first-round pick if it were to land a significant role player that could help Dallas contend this season.
The championship window may not be open for long, and Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson were not about to sit back and watch in close. Despite their upgrades on the court, Dallas is still mentioned as a team that is a tier below championship contenders like San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles (Clippers) and Cleveland.
That likely will be of no concern to Rick Carlisle, Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler. They were all part of a team that was taken lightly in 2011, and that season ended with the Mavericks hoisting the Larry O’Brien championship trophy.