Mavericks: Bobby Marks picks Dallas as potential finals team

The Dallas Mavericks set out to add a marquee free agent this offseason but found themselves filling holes on the margins. Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown should provide shooting, defense, and much-needed depth on the wings. Frank Ntilikina gives Dallas a strong defender for situational moments with Moses Brown coming over in a trade as a big man packed with potential. The Mavericks also re-signed Tim Hardaway Jr. and Boban Marjanovic. It was not the flashy offseason the Mavs dreamed of, but it was one of improvement.

The team’s biggest move was agreeing to a five-year max contract extension with superstar Luka Doncic. The 22-year-old has led the Mavericks to two straight playoff appearances, and the best is still yet to come from the still developing superstar. Doncic cannot hit free agency until 2026 and is ready to lead the Mavs on their first deep playoff run since 2011.

Former assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets and ESPN’s Bobby Marks selected Dallas as the team he believes can come out of the Western Conference on a Sirius XM radio hit on Sept. 26. Find out more here.

Bobby Marks picks Dallas Mavericks as potential finals team

Marks was on with Brian Geltzeiler and Sam Mitchell when he was asked about which non-Lakers team he would pick to make the NBA Finals. See his answer below.

"Dallas. That is who I am picking. Yeah, I mean I’ve always been high on Phoenix, you know I kind of rode them through to the finals last year. I think they’ll be good again. I think the injuries in Denver with Murray and the injury to Kawhi with the Clippers eliminates those two teams. I think we certainly could talk about Utah again. "

"I’m expecting big things out of Dallas. I know the Bullock and Sterling Brown signings were kind of under the radar. Luka. They’ve got Jason Kidd. There is going to be a magnifying eye on Jason Kidd with this Mavericks team because you’re taking over for a Hall of Famer with Rick Carlisle, but it all comes down to Porzingis. I feel like we’ve been saying this for the last three years, Kristaps Porzingis is the x-factor. If he is healthy and plays like he did in New York, which is a big if, I think this Mavericks team has enough to get to an NBA Finals."

Marks pulled no punches with his response. Kidd plans on helping KP find his All-Star form this season, but making it happen will be easier said than done. The Unicorn is still only 26 years old, but he must play better on both ends of the floor for Dallas to become legit title contenders. Injuries have played a factor in his struggles, and it will be interesting to see how Porzingis performs following a healthy offseason. It is possible he finds another gear this season, and everyone should be watching closely.

Dallas Mavericks fans are in for a treat this season. Luka Doncic figures to be in the running for MVP as the team looks to continue climbing the Western Conference standings. Can they get into the top four and make a deep playoff? It will be fascinating to watch, and supporters will not want to miss a second of the action.