NBA Future Power Rankings: Every Team's Spot In 5 Years

NBA Future Power Rankings: Every Team’s Spot In 5 Years

By Ti Windisch | Nov 30, 2015

Nov 12, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots in the fourth quarter against Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) at Target Center. The Golden State Warriors beat he Minnesota Timberwolves 129-116. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 28: Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks haven’t existed without Dirk Nowitzki for a very long time. Losing him will be damaging, both to the emotions and talent level of the team. Mark Cuban has built this Dallas team out of free agency and trades for the last decade, and it worked for them.

But it won’t keep working for long. The lack of draft picks means there really is no young talent in Dallas, and it’ll be tough if not impossible to draw more marquee free agents to the Mavericks without Dirk. Things are going to get ugly before they can get pretty again.

Maybe the next time the Mavericks end up in the lottery, they’ll end up with another franchise player to build around for the next decade. That’s highly unlikely, and even if it does happen there will be rough times on the way to getting the next Dirk in Dallas.

Next: No. 29