2012-2013 Finish:  52-30

 

Season Highlight: Representing the Western Conference in the NLL Finals.  In order to get there, the Mavericks shocked the NLL by sweeping the Sacramento Kings(the #1 seed in the West)  Many thought the Kings to the Finals was an afterthought, until Melo took his team on his back for the opportunity to go head to head against LBJ and Company.

 

Season Lowlight: Losing in the NLL Finals.  True, only 1 team wins the last game of the season, but no matter how well you do, everyone is disappointed if your season ends in a loss.  Sure, this doesn’t sound like too much of a lowlight, but it shouldn’t be.  The Mavs had a wonderful season, and a great playoff run.

 

Best Trade: The Dallas Mavericks send Arnett Moultrie to the Miami Heat. The Dallas Mavericks send Wesley Matthews to the San Antonio Spurs. The Miami Heat send Tim Duncan to the Dallas Mavericks. The San Antonio Spurs send Lance Thomas to the Dallas Mavericks. The Dallas Mavericks send a 1st-Rounder (Dal) to the Miami Heat. The Dallas Mavericks trade -35 GM points.The Miami Heat receive 35 GM points.

 

-Whaddaya mean the #2 team in the NLL gets to add Tim Duncan for peanuts!?!?!?!?  Definitely a great trade for Dallas, who is making a concerted effort to get back to the Finals again in 2013-2014    Sure he cost you a 1^st rounder and 35 GM points, but that pick is likely 26^th or worse.

 

Worst Trade: No bad trades here.

 

Other Notable Trades: The Dallas Mavericks send Louis Williams to the Golden State Warriors. The Golden State Warriors send a 2nd-Rounder (GS) to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Golden State Warriors use their trade exception over $ 5,000,000.

 

-Dallas avoids losing Lou Will for nothing, as his F loyalty guaranteed he would bolt for FA.

 

The Dallas Mavericks send Joel Przybilla and O.J. Mayo to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Dallas Mavericks send Brandon Bass to the San Antonio Spurs. The Philadelphia 76ers send Shane Battier, Rajon Rondo, Marcus Thornton and A.J. Price to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send Al Horford, Elliot Williams and Josh Selby to the Dallas Mavericks. The San Antonio Spurs send Kyle Lowry and Nicolas Batum to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Philadelphia 76ers send a 1st-Rounder (NJ) to the San Antonio Spurs. The Dallas Mavericks trade -3 GM points.The Philadelphia 76ers receive 3 GM points.

 

-Dallas gets the bruising big man they needed in Horford.  Sure they lost OJ Mayo, who was a major contributor for Philly, but Horford was a key cog in the Mavs playoff run.

 

Best FA Signing: Jason Collins.  GM Smokey was an ambassador of good will, knowing about Jason’s sexual preference well in advance.  The Mavs felt they could get ahead of the news, and everyone knows that owner Mark Cuban loves a good PR piece.

 

Worst FA Signing: Did they sign anyone else?

 

Star: Melo.  No arguments there!  Melo won the NLL MVP and took his team to the Finals.  Melo was a matchup nightmare, averaging 34 points in the regular season and another 30 during the playoffs.

 

Surprise: Quick, who can tell me what Mav was #2 in +/- last year?  Nope, it was Ramon Sessions.  Yeah, Sessions!  His return from injury also sparked the Mavs’ great playoff run, propelling them into the Finals.

 

Goat: Aaron Gray.  He’s not that much of a Goat, but we had to put someone here.  In 9.3 minutes a game, he could only get 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 points.  At $2.5 Million, he was no bargain.

 

Draft Report Card: No drafted players.

 

Looking to the Future: The Mavs look to increase their chances to return to the Finals with one timely trade.  By trading for Tim Duncan,at well less than his perceived value, they add one of the leagues most dominant big man for peanuts.  They need to focus on getting a good PG, as both Brooks and Sessions have the potential to hit the FA market.  However, their window is shrinking, as they must hope on Melo and Duncan to use their player options after this year, otherwise they only have 2 players signed past this season, Horford and Green.

 

Upcoming Free Agents:

           

Ramon Sessions – Was a key contributor during the Mavs playoff run.  Would be a big loss if Dallas can’t keep him.

 

Tyler Hansbrough –  Tyler is a scrapper, a perfect guy off the Mavs bench.  Good thing for Smokey, as he’s a RFA and will likely return.

           

Aaron Brooks – Another solid PG who’s future is in doubt.  Smokey may need to pick between Brooks and Sessions as his floor general.

           

Wayne Ellington – A RFA, Ellington will likely return to the Mavs

           

Aaron Gray – With addition of Duncan, Gray could be unnecessary.  Hawes will be likely backup at C

           

Devin Ebanks – cheap player that could fill out the Mavs roster.

           

Jason Collins – If you are going to keep a 3^rd C, Collins would cost much less than Gray

           

Jeremy Pargo – Stopgap at PG, nothing more.

 

Elliott Williams – Young player with history of injury problems.  If he could get on the court more, maybe he could become more valuable.