Dallas Mavericks: 2021 NBA offseason key to future success

The summer has fast arrived and for the Dallas Mavericks that means one thing: Change is waiting in the rear view mirror. The team has plenty of options they must weigh as they have a pile of tasks to complete this summer. If you are a huge Mavs’ fan like me, then the vast number of possibilities must be wondering through your brain.

There are so much questions left to answer including: Who will be the team’s next general manger? Can anybody live up to the coaching expectations of Rick Carlisle? Is this the offseason the Mavs turn things around? And lastly, just how happy is their star player in Dallas?

This is why this summer Mark Cuban and company have a series of tasks lined up for them.

The 2021 NBA offseason will set the stage for the future of the Dallas Mavericks and All-Star Luka Doncic.

This summer is the year to get things right. Currently, Doncic is the151st highest paid player in the NBA. In terms of guards in the league, he was the 69th highest salary. To break down even further, within the organization Doncic is the 7th highest paid player on the squad.

So you are telling me that a top five NBA player in the league, is barely getting paid?

Just last week, reports indicated that Doncic indeed plans to sign a massive contract extension with the team this offseason. Assuming their star guard does what is expected, then this will give the team time to continue building a strong core roster around him.

Now this will lead Dallas to the next item on their agenda: sign a dominant general manger who is willingly to set the right pieces around Doncic.

Currently, rumors have indicated that former Mavericks’ player Michael Finley is in the running to gain the reigns as the next general manager. Finley is the team’s current Vice President of Basketball Operations. He has gained the trust and respect of owner Marc Cuban.

Assuming this domino falls into effect, it will be up to the Mav to keep Doncic happy. Finley understands the components of teamwork and can relate to the idea of winning a championship. Back in 2007, he won an NBA title with the San Antonio Spurs. He correlates a vast majority of his success to the teamwork mentality.

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For the past couple of years, he has been an understudy for Owner Mark Cuban and former GM Donnie Nelson.

If Finley takes on the job, another key task he must address is the absence of a head coach. Currently, Jason Kidd and Jamahl Mosley are in the running.

If things follow as expected, then the next big item on the agenda will be signing key free agents that can run the floor with Doncic.

The team has already been linked to players like Spencer Dinwiddie. Other names like John Collings, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry will likely also be discussed as well.

Other key items on the to-do-list include: the fate of Kristaps Porzingis, the play of Tim Hardaway Jr. and the team’s need for a big man down low.

Whether Finley is the right man for the job or not, the next general manager has a huge tasks of items ahead of him.

After, this summer will play a huge role in deciding the team’s future success.  Get ready Mavs’ fans, we are in for a bumpy ride.

• Published on 06/25/2021 at 12:01 PM
• Last updated at 06/25/2021 at 11:51 AM