Dallas Mavericks: 3 takeaways from the 2019-2020 season

Dallas Mavericks are back in win-now mode

Whether Dallas knew it or not, the rebuilding period set into full effect once Harrison Barnes signed his four-year, $94 million max deal in 2016. Barnes led by example and carried himself as a model citizen. Unfortunately, his brand of basketball did not lead to league relevancy. With Dirk Nowitzki in his twilight years, Barnes catapulted into the unfamiliar NBA role of the number-one option.

It didn’t take long to realize the 2015 NBA champion wasn’t capable of carrying the torch for Nowitzki. However, trades didn’t make mathematical sense for Dallas to get out of the hole because of his hefty contract.

Thankfully, there is something called the NBA Draft. A tool Mark Cuban ignored for most of his time as the Dallas Mavericks owner. Fast forward to the 2018 draft, the inception of the Luka Doncic era in NBA history. Within the rookie’s first few months in the league, it was apparent the Mavericks draft day “gamble” on the 2018 Euroleague MVP paid dividends.

Doncic won Rookie of the Year and provided late-game heroics as a 20-year-old. It was the precursor to his playoff moment this season.

Luka drilling that game-winning buzzer-beater in game four showed the time to win big has arrived. The Clippers elite defense couldn’t hold Doncic down as the All-star averaged 31.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists during his first NBA playoff series.

The future is bright, and Dallas is clearly past the rebuilding stage. Despite the meniscus tear suffered by Porzingis, the Mavericks have enough talent in Doncic to build on a respectable playoff appearance.

Dallas has the 18th and 31st pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. General Manager Donnie Nelson could attempt to strike gold again or trade the picks for a proven veteran to win now.

Look for Dallas to make a move to get back on the saddle of contention.

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