The 2017 Dallas Mavericks: A Year in Review

As 2017 comes to an end, let’s take a look back at the past 12 months for the Dallas Mavericks and all the storylines that followed them.

The beginning of the calendar year was right in the middle of the 2016-17 season where the Mavericks were searching for an answer at the point guard position as Deron Williams was out with an injury.

So the Dallas Mavericks threw a dart at Yogi Ferrell and the rest is history.

Ferrell did so well in his 10-day contract that the Mavericks immediately signed Ferrell to a multi-year deal and is a key part of the rotation almost 12 months later.

A few weeks after that was All-Star weekend where the Mavericks not only watched Wesley Matthews in the three-point contest, but their owner in Mark Cuban compete in the Celebrity Game.

As the season went along and the Mavericks continued to figure out their direction for the season, one of the more popular storylines heading into the trade deadline was if Dallas would unload one or both of their veterans in Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut.

On trade deadline day, the Mavericks sent off Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, and two second-round picks for Nerlens Noel. A move that was thought to be a home run trade for the Mavericks at the time.

A short time after that, the Mavericks waived Deron Williams so he could join the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In March, it was all about Dirk Nowitzki hitting the 30,000 point mark in a night that will be remembered for a long time coming. From the shirts in the seats to the start that Dirk had at the beginning of the game, it was a night I’ll never forget.

Nerlens Noel got accustomed to his new role in Dallas, Seth Curry continued to grow and the Mavericks teetered the competing/lottery line.

Then, at the end of a lottery-bound season, the Mavericks decided to make a surprise, one-day signing.

Tony Romo was a Dallas Maverick.

The Romo extravaganza was a day to remember from the opening press conference to his moves in the lay-up line. It was the largest crowd pre-tip that I have ever seen at a Dallas Mavericks game. The whole night was a crazy, fun night that honored a Cowboy great and Mav fan, Tony Romo.

The season ended, the Mavericks missed the playoffs, and they earned the 9th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Let the draft rumors, speculation and predictions begin.

With the 9th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected Dennis Smith Jr. The war room was ecstatic as the Mavericks got their point guard of the future in Smith Jr.

The Mavericks didn’t own a second round pick but capitalized on the undrafted market by signing Johnathan Motley to a two-way contract.

July 1st hit and it was time for free agency…except it wasn’t a typical summer for the Dallas Mavericks. No big fish or big names. It was all about the restricted free agency of Nerlens Noel.

The reports were flying as the Mavericks offered a big contract to Noel early in free agency but both sides were unable to come to terms on a deal. The situation went on all summer until it came to a crashing halt when Noel switched agents and accepted the one-year qualifying offer.

Dennis Smith Jr. made his debut over the summer in the Las Vegas Summer League where he put himself on the map early on with his athleticism and scoring.

The end of the summer was sort of quiet as the main storylines around the Mavericks were centered around Harrison Barnes’ wedding, Noel’s never-ending free agency and the Mavericks lack of activity in free agency.

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Media Day came and the biggest news out of Dallas came when Rick Carlisle announced that Nerlens Noel would come off the bench for the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki would move into the full-time center role.

The Mavericks then unveiled their new locker room that was highlighted with strategic scents, neon lights and a facial scanner that identifies players as they enter the locker room.

October hits and the first big injury bug hits as the Mavericks announce that Seth Curry has a stress reaction in his leg that will keep him out and evaluated on a week-to-week timeframe. Little did they know, Curry would be out for at least the next three months.

The Mavericks had a rough start to the season as they started the season 1-11 in their first 12 games. Dirk was struggling, Dennis was adjusting and Rick Carlisle was trying to figure out his rotation.

To round out the calendar year of 2017, the Mavericks have had their share of storylines over the past three to four weeks. From the hot dog incident with Nerlens Noel to losing Dennis Smith Jr. for multiple games, it has been a season of growth as the Mavericks currently sit with the worst record in the Western Conference.

Now, sitting on a three-game winning streak and Dennis Smith Jr.’s first career triple-double, the Mavericks hope to turn the corner in 2018.

Next: Could Trae Young and Dennis Smith Jr. Exist Together?

2017 was a roller coaster ride for the Mavericks, but 2018 could provide the missing pieces as they look to get back to the playoffs.