Hoops Habit
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. The Mavericks will be the fourth-best team in the Western Conference

The Dallas Mavericks scored below 100 points in 47 games last season. They were 10-37 in games where they scored less than 100 points. So it explains their dead-last ranking in points per game (97.9 points per game).

In a season that saw 15 different players rotate into the starting lineup, the Mavericks weren’t very good offensively and it showed. It was head coach Rick Carlisle’s first losing season as the Mavs’ head coach.

Deron Williams played in 40 games before being waived by the team. Andrew Bogut lasted just 26 games before being moved to the bench, as he couldn’t play next to Nowitzki.

The Mavericks have done well to remove themselves from last season’s debacle and this offseason has been a step in a positive direction. They return veterans in Dirk Nowitzki, J.J. Barea, Devin Harris and Wesley Matthews along with their recent acquisitions.

One wild card is center Nerlens Noel, who recently re-signed to a one-year, $4.1 million qualifying offer. He has the potential to be an athletic defensive anchor for a team in desperate need of another defensive stopper.

https://twitter.com/rankplays/status/852235027593220097

The team made a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers for Noel before the NBA trade deadline, sending Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson and a 2017 first round draft pick (top-18 protected) their direction.

The Mavs took a chance in sending Anderson to the 76ers, but things worked out in acquiring Dennis Smith Jr., an explosive point guard with potential as a leader for this team.

Another wild card is Dorian Finney-Smith, another undrafted gem who appeared in 81 games last season. He also played in Summer League that past July alongside Smith Jr. and Ferrell on the wing. Finney-Smith averaged 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game in six starts for the Dallas Mavericks.

Look out for this team to push for that fourth spot in the West much like the Utah Jazz did last year with Gordon Hayward leading the way. They should certainly be a playoff team and not the 11th overall team in the Western Conference, despite moves other teams have made.

Home/Dallas Mavericks