Dallas Mavericks: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Best-case scenario

The “best-case” scenario for the Dallas Mavericks is making the playoffs with their mix of youth and experience. Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. plays to his potential and makes Mavs fans forget the name Jason Kidd ever existed.

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Smith Jr. has received his fair share of praise from head coach Rick Carlisle and has elevated expectations in the process. The Mavericks don’t have a lot of stars but they have the talent to be a quality team.

They’ve got 3-point shooters in Wesley Matthews, Harrison Barnes, Seth Curry and a closer in Dirk. Adding Smith Jr. to their arsenal of weapons can prove to be a success but he has to buy into the philosophy of defense first.

That’s where Nerlens Noel comes in. If Noel can find his niche on both ends as rim protector and rim runner (and stay healthy!), he’ll find a long-term deal on the table in no time.

The veterans (J.J. Barea, Devin Harris and Josh McRoberts) also have an opportunity to play quality roles for this squad. Harris and Barea are sure to get plenty of minutes between Ferrell and Smith Jr.. McRoberts is the wildcard as the Mavericks are thin on the interior, even with Noel. Foul trouble puts this team at a disadvantage in a hurry.

Worst-case scenario

The “worst-case” for the Dallas Mavericks is finishing this season like they did in 2016-17. The Mavericks didn’t qualify for the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season and it was their first losing season since 1999-00.

Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. proves to be an ineffective playmaker and adds to the list of small guards that are liabilities on the Mavericks’ roster.

They were a solid defensive squad in 2016-17 but they didn’t have much offense outside of Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews. The late addition of point guard Yogi Ferrell proved to be useful, but it was too late in the end as their season ended earlier than they wanted.

Injuries are sure to play a role in any negative that happen with Nerlens Noel or Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki battled an Achilles’ injury for much of last season. Noel missed some time with the Mavericks last season due to knee soreness as well.

While not making the playoffs would hurt, it would give Dallas another opportunity to add some more talent from the draft lottery.