Dallas Mavericks: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 NBA season

1. Will Dallas let these valuable expiring contracts walk?

This question builds off of the last one. If the Dallas Mavericks decide to field an uncompetitive team, will they sell off their expiring contracts to haul in assets? Next year’s free agent class can be special, so teams will likely want to free up cap space. Obtaining some Dallas Mavericks would help.

Harrison Barnes has a 2019-20 player option for $25.1 million, but it seems more likely he’d opt in. Wesley Matthews is on an $18.7 million expiring ,while Jordan’s expiring is for $22.9 million. Devin Harris and J.J. Barea are on small expiring deals as well.

Letting these players enter unrestricted free agency is a massive gamble. The Mavericks would be betting on their chances of landing a star. There is a scenario in which they lose someone like Barnes or Jordan and also fail to sign a major player. What would it take for them to explore a trade?

If the Mavericks believe they cannot snag that 8-seed in the West, perhaps they shop someone like Matthews. Doing this could prove wise. The Mavericks could stand to take on an asset with a long-term deal and still have the cap space to sign a maximum level player. Keep tabs on this team around the trade deadline, as it could be one of the league’s more active sellers.