Dallas Mavericks roundtable: How will the Mavs do this season?

Mavs Defensive Player of the Year

Delon Wright

“Delon Wright has been the best defender in both places he’s played in. In Toronto, Wright helped create numerous stops on the defensive end to offset the offensive stagnation sometimes present in DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. The Mavs will also look to get consistent contributions from Porzingis and Dorian Finney-Smith.” –Evan Siegel

Maxi Kleber

“Maxi Kleber is one of the most underrated defenders in the league, but Porzingis will still run away with this award. Porzingis is one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA when healthy and should lock down the paint next year. He can be the inside presence on defense that Mavs fans hoped DeAndre Jordan would be last season. Porzingis will be the team’s DPOY and will earn a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team.” –Sean Bush

“Maxi Kleber has already shown what he could do in preseason games. I think he can do even more in the regular season. Kleber has a better chance to grab boards with Powell as starter and Mejri gone. Kleber can slip into the 4 or 5 and guard whoever has the ball. He’s going into his third NBA season and can prove himself not only as the leading backup big, but potentially a starter too. I think he can easily average 5 boards a game and block at 1.5 per game.” –Arsal Hussain

Kristaps Porzingis

“Again, Kristaps Porzingis. When healthy with the Knicks, KP showed the ability to protect the rim on par with the best bigs in the league. Last time Porzingis played, he trailed only Anthony Davis in blocks per game (2.4 and 2.6 bpg, respectively) and is an extremely underrated perimeter defender. If the big man can average over 2 blocks and 8 rebounds per game, I see no reason why KP should not be named the best defensive player for a team that desperately needs help in that category.” –Josh Gamel

“Porzingis has already made mention of DPOY being a goal for him, and he’ll be playing to prove everyone who doubted him wrong. He may start off slow, but he’ll end up being one of the defensive cornerstones for the organization.” –Charles Allen

Dorian Finney-Smith

“This could honestly turn out to be one of the best defensive years for the Mavs in ages and it is because they have so many players that could easily be the best defender on this team. Some guys definitely deserve a mention like Jalen Brunson, Delon Wright, Maxi Kleber and Kristaps Porzingis, but I’ve got to go with Dorian Finney-Smith who will be tasked with most of the toughest matchups all season long.” –Kohl Rast