#13 – Dallas Mavericks
2011/12 Record: 36-30, lost Eastern Conference First Round
2012/13 Projected Record: 45-37, playoffs
Key Additions:
Darren Collison – Point Guard
O.J. Mayo – Shooting Guard
Dahntay Jones – Shooting Guard
Elton Brand – Power Forward
Chris Kaman – Center
Key Departures:
Jason Terry – Shooting Guard
Jason Kidd – Point Guard
Brendan Haywood – Center
Lamar Odom – Power Forward
Ian Mahinmi – Center
Depth Chart:
Point Guard: Darren Collison, Delonte West
Shooting Guard: O.J. Mayo, Dahntay Jones
Small Forward: Shawn Marion, Vince Carter
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki, Elton Brand
Center: Chris Kaman, Brandan Wright
The X Factor:
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk is now 34 years old – he’s bound to eventually not play at an all-world level (right?!). Is this the year the decline starts?
Summary:
The Mavs went through a massive turnover in the offseason, and even though they whiffed on getting any of the big-name free agents on the market, they still upgraded their roster. And, more importantly, they added some young pieces in the backcourt that they can try to build around. They probably aren’t title contenders any longer, but they still are playoff bound.
NBA Preseason Power Rankings
#14 – New York Knicks
#15 – Atlanta Hawks
#16 – Chicago Bulls
#17 – Utah Jazz
#18 – Golden State Warriors
#19 – Portland Trailblazers
#20 – Milwaukee Bucks
#21 – Cleveland Cavaliers
#22 – New Orleans Hornets
#23 – Washington Wizards
#24 – Toronto Raptors
#25 – Sacramento Kings
#26 – Phoenix Suns
#27 – Houston Rockets
#28 – Detroit Pistons
#29 – Orlando Magic
#30 – Charlotte Bobcats
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