13. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have the potential to be a lot of fun for the upcoming few years with an exciting and dynamic duo in Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. The international pair will bring excitement back to Dallas as they blossom together into an eventual force to be reckoned with.
Unfortunately, as good as Doncic and Porzingis are and may one day be, they just don’t quite yet match wits with the best duos in the West. And not only that, but their supporting cast is a step below those of their opposition as well.
I’m excited to see how guys like Delon Wright and Seth Curry fit in with this improving Mavs team as well as whether or not Tim Hardaway Jr. can be a difference maker. However, for the time being, the Mavs will likely go through another growing season before they’re truly ready to compete. I think they’re still at least a year away from being a playoff competitor.
That’s especially true considering the injury questions surrounding Porzingis. How will he be in his first year back from the ACL injury? How long will it take him to get back to his old self? Will he be able to at all and can he continue to improve?
Those are all questions that will determine how well the Mavs perform this season and well beyond.