Hoops Habit
Fansided

Dallas Mavericks: Time To Rebuild The Right Way

By Christian Blood

Apr 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts to a call during the game against the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) reacts to a call during the game against the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The time has come for the Dallas Mavericks to rebuild, but this time it needs to be done the right way.

For the last four seasons, or in each campaign following the NBA championship run of 2010-11, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has essentially turned most of the roster over in order to reinvent a contender with veterans around future Hall of Fame power forward Dirk Nowitzki.

ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: 30 Greatest Ball Handlers of All-Time

Not only have the Mavericks been unable to advance beyond the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, but the franchise has been unable to land any one of several coveted free agents since winning that unlikely title some four years ago.

So, as the 2015 NBA Draft approaches, it’s time for Cuban to change philosophies and truly rebuild with young, less expensive talent that can start to set the stage for life without Nowitzki.

If the seven-foot tall German’s own words are any indication of the future – and they sure sound like it – Cuban needs to take note immediately, which I expect he has. Nowitzki told the Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com the following regarding his future with the Mavericks:

"“I know that at 37 I can’t be the No. 1 option if we want to play for the championship. That’s just normal. That’s how the cycle goes. And really, if you look at our roster, we only have a few guys on the team. We have four or five guys, so we have a lot of work to do. We have a lot of filling out to do. I think we need a little bit of everything, like I said at the exit interviews. Nothing has changed since then.”"

Yes, Nowitzki is willing to do whatever necessary to win as he’s demonstrated this ideology throughout his illustrious career. He’s taken less money to play in Big D, has never been considered a selfish player and has obviously never been at the center of any controversy surrounding poor or criminal conduct on or off the court.

More from Dallas Mavericks

But what also rings true here is the fact that Dallas has very few players on it’s roster, Nowitzki and small forward Chandler Parsons being by far the most meaningful for next season – the latter is coming off a significant knee injury and might not even be ready for the beginning of the regular season.

I wouldn’t hold your breath on guard Monta Ellis returning next season.

Forget other home-grown free agents like centers Tyson Chandler and Amar’e Stoudemire, point guard J.J. Barea and possibly even Al-Farouq Aminu, although the last name here should probably be a part of the plans moving forward.

Ease up on the pipe dream of outside FAs like power forward and possible Nowitzki successor LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, a guy I think would be a lot more interesting if he could hit a free throw, or even rumors about Greg Oden, for goodness sake.

Dallas needs a foundation of youth, similar to one they ended up cultivating back in 1998 when landing Nowitzki and point guard Steve Nash via three-way trade and obviously through the draft. With the versatile Michael Finley already in town, a franchise that had just stunk for a solid decade was ready to start threatening anybody in the NBA.

Today’s Mavericks don’t have that kind of juice. While Nowitzki is still a highly useful player, it’s pretty clear that both his defensive skills – the few he had – have diminished a lot and even his stroke from 3-point range isn’t as dynamic as it once was.

Live Feed

3 Disastrous events Mavericks must avoid to keep Luka Doncic happy
3 Disastrous events Mavericks must avoid to keep Luka Doncic happy /

The Smoking Cuban

  • Mavericks rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper gets fans buzzing with must-see new lookThe Smoking Cuban
  • Mavericks rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper astounds NBA coach in offseason pro runThe Smoking Cuban
  • Former Dallas Mavericks fan-favorite guard facing major lawsuitThe Smoking Cuban
  • Mavericks star Kyrie Irving spotted in viral workout video with former NBA MVPThe Smoking Cuban
  • Acclaimed NBA Champion guard praises Mavericks' Josh GreenThe Smoking Cuban

    • It’s time for a “fountain of youth,” of sorts.

    Yes, the Mavericks will aim to spend some big money once free agency begins July 1, but ahead of that there needs to be some kind of foundation laid during the draft next Tuesday in New York. On the bright side for Cuban and Co., this probably means simply drafting the best player available, period.

    But Dallas needs a player, not a pawn.

    It seems to be that the Mavericks biggest strike in free agency might very well come next year, when the NBA salary cap is expected to expand and there will be more big names available that could catapult Dallas right back into serious contention in the Western Conference.

    Yes, rebuilding is a good thing, but only if it’s done right.

    Next: Dallas Mavericks Should Test The Bulls For Jimmy Butler

    More from Hoops Habit

    Home/Dallas Mavericks