3 Mavericks Playing Their Final Series in Dallas

It looks like the Dallas Mavericks have finally found a lineup rotation that works as they’ve made it to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning it in 2011 against the Miami Heat.

The good news is that all of the core players are under contract for next season, and there’s no reason to make any major changes.

But some players will have to go. Let’s break down the most likely candidates to be wearing a different jersey next season. 

These Mavericks Players Shouldn’t Return

No roster is perfect, and spots need to be freed up for any NBA Draft selections and free agent acquisitions. 

These moves might not make some fans happy, but they could make the Mavericks even better for the future.

1. Dante Exum 

Exum has been effective in his first season in Dallas – averaging 7.8 points per game on 53.5% shooting from the field in 19.8 minutes per game. 

However, he’s been an afterthought in the playoffs. 

Exum has played 10 minutes or more in just four games in the playoffs so far and hasn’t contributed meaningful stats in any of them.

With Jaden Hardy looking impressive in increased time during the playoffs, Exum’s presence is more of a luxury than a necessity. 

"We need to find ways to get him more minutes," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said of Hardy during the Western Conference Finals. "It's not a reflection on Exum's performance, but someone has to sit. We'll reassess for tomorrow's game, but Hardy deserves more floor time."

Exum could be brought back because he is an extremely cheap asset ($3.15 million team option this season), but he’s unneeded. 

2. Dwight Powell 

Like Exum, Powell isn’t a necessary player to this roster.

He was an important player to have around before the team acquired Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards. 

But Gafford makes Powell expendable. Powell started in just nine games this season and didn’t make much of an impact, averaging 3.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. 

He hasn’t played more than eight minutes in a single playoff game so far and has scored just six points the entire postseason.

He’s turning 33 years old next month, and although he’s also a cheap asset ($4 million per year), that’s not a good enough reason to keep him around.

3. Maxi Kleber

Kleber might be difficult to get rid of, considering he makes $11 million per year for each of the next two seasons. 

But it’s certainly worth trying.

The 32-year-old forward has struggled to stay on the court the past two seasons – playing in just 80 games (12 starts). 

He averaged just 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds over 20.3 minutes per game this season and his lack of involvement in the playoffs shows that he’s not needed in order for the Mavs to win.

The emergence of Dereck Lively II and the additions of PJ Washington and Gafford have significantly reduced Kleber’s role. 

It’s clear that his playing time (and salary) would be better off given to someone else.

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