Dallas Mavericks: Will the Rockets shake up their roster? Could Mavs benefit?

Dallas Mavericks: Will the Rockets shake up their roster? Do Mavs benefit?

The Dallas Mavericks finished second in the Southwest Division this season behind the Houston Rockets. It was the third consecutive year that Houston won the division crown led by perennial MVP candidate James Harden. The Mavs have their MVP contender in Luka Doncic and plan on overtaking the Rockets in 2021.

Dallas wins with consistency. Mark Cuban has owned the team since 2000. Head coach Rick Carlisle and general manager Donnie Nelson are among the longest-tenured in the league in their positions. The Mavs stability has led to a ton of success including winning the championship in 2011.

The Rockets are facing a year of transition. Mike D’Antoni told the team he would not return as head coach. General manager Daryl Morey announced he is leaving the Rockets on Nov. 1. Houston is promoting Rafael Stone to its top decision-maker, but it will be a massive change.

Will the Rockets shake up their roster? Do Dallas Mavericks benefit?

Fans know Morey and D’Antoni took analytics to the extreme. The Rockets have led the NBA in 3-point attempts for four straight years. They traded away Clint Capela this season to fully embrace small ball. Jeff Green was Houston’s tallest player in their playoff run at 6’8.

Will the new regime go that extreme or change it up? Could it benefit the Dallas Mavericks either way? Let us answer those questions before determining if the Mavs will top the rival Rockets in 2021.

Next: Why to shake it up