The Dallas Mavericks are reverting to their old ways of rebuilding

Don’t look now but the Dallas Mavericks may be scraping the rebuilding plan we just praised them for and reverting to the tired strategy of yesteryear.

Just when we thought the Dallas Mavericks were finally committed to rebuilding the franchise through the draft, they go and do something as obvious and familiar as this: They’re clearing cap space.

A close look at the team roster and one can see the Mavs are making an effort to clear money for next summer. This annual “clearing of the cap” had become commonplace around these parts ever since the 2011 title team.

In the past, every summer the Mavs maintained enough cap space to make a financially realistic offer to free agency’s premiere talent. I need not recap how those annual courtships ended – one need only look at the Mavericks roster over the past few seasons.

A change in philosophy?

The 2016-17 season was different, though. After perpetually building a fringe playoff team destined for a one-and-done postseason, the Mavs placed an emphasis on youth. They stressed development. They thought about the future.

Last season was a bad year by all statistical accounts. They struggled competing, missed the playoffs, and became a lottery team. According to their record it was one of the worst seasons since Dirk and Steve Nash’s frosted tips joined the franchise in 1998.

But instead of depressing the fanbase, last season invigorated the fanbase. No longer looking at the futility of building another eight-seed, Mavs fans started to get excited about the future.

Harrison Barnes lived up to the contract everyone said he wouldn’t. Yogi Ferrell came out of nowhere to become a rookie playmaker and leader. Nerlens Noel was acquired for next to nothing, bringing above-the-rim athleticism to a team devoid of such skill. Then to top it all off the Dallas Mavericks find lightening in a bottle when they selected Dennis Smith Jr at pick nine of the NBA Draft.

The Mavs were finally rebuilding the right way. They were rebuilding in the way they avoided for so long. And you know what? The future never looked brighter. Even if they appeared destined to suffer the same win/loss fate as they did last season. It was about building for the future, with youth and potential, and that had Mavs fans excited for the future.

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Reverting to free agency

But recent chatter has shifted from this youth movement to summer of 2018. Because, as I mentioned earlier, if you look at the roster next season, the Mavs are perfectly positioned to make a play for a max contract free agent.

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That is what explains their reluctance to give Nerlens Noel the extra money he’s currently holding out for. 2018 free agency explains why they’re willing to upset a key player they hope to retain and build around in coming years. This is a gamble.

Is this the right play?

Before you can get a free agent you have to afford that free agent, so saving money is a smart move. It’s just worrisome to see only failed strategies resurface. If the Mavericks are willing to let young, good, promising talent walk out the door so they can hold out for the homerun, it would be extremely disappointing to many a MFFL. By the look of things, they are perfectly fine with upsetting said talent.

At this point it’s just speculation as to what their intentions are. Fact-based, rampant speculation all around the metroplex, but speculation nonetheless.

Next: Is Nerlens Noel Worth a Max Deal?

If the Dallas Mavericks can court max contract free agents WITHOUT impacting their ability to rebuild through youth and the draft, then they should be praised. I’m just not so sure they can successfully walk that line.

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