Dallas Mavericks: 2015-16 Season Outlook

Three Key Storylines (cont.)

2. Will Wesley Matthews Be The Same?

Wesley Matthews has been one of the most underrated players in the league for two years now. As one of the game’s best, under-the-radar 3-and-D players, Matthews is a career 39.3 percent three-point shooter and versatile defender. His Achilles injury last season singlehandedly doomed any faint hopes Portand ever had of contending in the first place.

If we see the same Wes Matthews that we’ve seen over the last two seasons, he’ll easily be the best player on the roster. But what happens if the dreaded Achilles injury that’s ended/stunted the careers of so many great players claims Matthews as its next victim? At age 28, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Everyone’s hoping that Matthews can come back strong from a scary injury like that, but that goes double for the Mavs, who paid up for Matthews with a four-year, $70 million contract — raising the total figure from $57 million after DeAndre Jordan reneged on his deal. That’s quite a bit to pay for a healthy Matthews, let alone a Matthews coming off an Achilles injury.

A completely healthy Wes Matthews isn’t going to carry Dallas to the postseason, especially in the West. But if he’s able to come back and be 100 percent, Dallas has a puncher’s chance of at least making it interesting.

Next: Storyline: Are We Sure The Mavs Aren't Tanking?