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Dallas Mavericks: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

By Jerran Anderson

DALLAX, TX - JUNE 23: Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban, Dennis Smith Jr., Rick Carlisle and Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks introduce their 2017 draft pick Dennis Smith Jr. during at a press conference on June 23, 2017 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glen James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAX, TX - JUNE 23: Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban, Dennis Smith Jr., Rick Carlisle and Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks introduce their 2017 draft pick Dennis Smith Jr. during at a press conference on June 23, 2017 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glen James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Glen James/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Glen James/NBAE via Getty Images /

The Dallas Mavericks enter the 2017-18 season with a lot of promise. Here are five bold predictions for next year.

The Dallas Mavericks took an interesting step backward in the 2016-17 season. They went 33-49 last year, seeing their offseason trade for center Andrew Bogut fail to work out, along with their one-year, $10 million contract to re-sign point guard Deron Williams.

Bogut and Williams were both gone before the season ended and the team managed to find a gem on the undrafted free agent market.

Former Indiana Hoosiers point guard Yogi Ferrell signed a 10-day contract with the Mavericks on Jan. 28. Ferrell had been to the G League and cut twice by the Brooklyn Nets before that.

Things started out differently for him in Dallas, though. Ferrell was tossed into the starting lineup on his first day and he embraced the role.

An impressive performance by Ferrell against the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 3 got the attention of the Dallas Mavericks front office as well as the rest of the league. Ferrell put up 31 points, tying the rookie record for 3-pointers made in a game with nine.

The rookie went on to start 29 games for the Mavericks on his way to a first team All-Rookie selection. He averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game in 36 appearances last season. Ferrell was signed to a multi-year contract with the Mavericks before the season ended.

It was Dallas’ first losing season since the 1999-00 season when they went 40-42. They didn’t qualify for the [layoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

The Mavericks found a few positives from last season despite their record, and then came into the 2017 NBA Draft with Dennis Smith Jr. falling into their laps as the ninth overall pick, so all isn’t completely lost for them.

They’ve created a nice mix of veteran leadership and youth, putting some bold predictions on the table for the 2017-18 season.

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