The Dallas Mavericks Could Leapfrog Thunder in Coming Years

The Dallas Mavericks are at the bottom of the NBA, but they are a few moves away from jumping in front of one of their arch rivals in the Western Conference.

The Oklahoma City Thunder just concluded a disappointing season by being eliminated in the first round at the hands of the Utah Jazz. Carmelo Anthony will undoubtedly opt in to his massive $28 million option to stay with the Thunder. Paul George is also a free agent, and based on how he played in the first round against Utah, may very well be looking to sign elsewhere.

The Thunder may be left with Russell Westbrook as their last of the trio of starters originally on the team. It appears that the Thunder may be in position for a full scale rebuild, which the Mavs would gladly welcome.

Dennis Smith Jr. may very well make quantum leaps next year in his second year as a Maverick. He flashed freakish ability on both ends and seems to have a bit of Russell Westbrook-type potential in his game. The longer his rookie season went, the clearer it became that the Mavericks made the steal of the draft when they snatched Smith ninth overall.

Moving forward, the Mavs will have another lottery pick, this time even higher than ninth overall. The lottery positions currently have the Mavericks picking third, which could land them one of the top players in the draft. Marvin Bagley, DeAndre Ayton, Luka Doncic, or Jaren Jackson Jr. will intrigue the Mavericks when it is their turn to pick on draft night.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Paul George #13, Carmelo Anthony #7, and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Utah Jazz during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Mavericks are only a few moves away from creeping up on the final playoff spot out west. The Thunder, despite possessing the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double in consecutive seasons, are completely devoid of talent elsewhere on their roster. Carmelo Anthony is not even close to the player he used to be, and Jerami Grant and Steven Adams have had their limitations exposed.

This is the first team that the Mavs should look to with the possibility of overtaking in the west. Dennis Smith Jr. and another high draft pick with Harrison Barnes and what is left of Dirk Nowitzki won’t be quite as putrid as the team was this past year. The Mavs will need to make moves in perfect congruence with their gradual rebuild, while the Thunder are in danger of becoming even more of a one-man show.

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The Mavericks are not close to contending for a legit playoff run. But, they are a couple moves away from re-entering the picture and threatening for the last spot. If they can overtake the Thunder, the rebuild will have officially gained traction.

The Dallas Mavericks are at the bottom of the NBA, but they are a few moves away from jumping in front of one of their arch rivals in the Western Conference.

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