2009-10 NBA Season Preview: Dallas Mavericks

Depth Chart:

C: Erick Dampier/Drew Gooden

PF: Dirk Nowitzki /Kris Humphries/Tim Thomas/James Singleton

SF: Shawn Marion/Quinton Ross/Shawne Williams

SG: Josh Howard/Jason Terry/Matt Carroll

PG: Jason Kidd/J.J. Barea/Rodrigue Beaubois

Head Coach: Rick Carlisle (2nd year)

2009-2010 Team Salary: $88.0 million

Projected 2010-2011 Team Salary: approximately $74.8 million

Off-Season Grade: Aced

Mark Cuban is never one to sit on his hands when the Mavs don’t reach his expectations. That was certainly the case this offseason as everybody’s favorite team owner was very active this summer.

First, and most importantly, Dallas re-signed the leader, Jason Kidd, to a reasonable 3-year, $25 million deal. He is their floor leader and showed at 36, he definitely still has some gas left in his tank. Had Kidd of bolted from the Mavs, there would have been a massive hole to fill at the point so bringing him back was the best move.

Dallas pulled off a sign-and-trade, pretty much giving up nothing to land Shawn Marion. Their attempt to land restricted free agent center Marcin Gortat failed when the Magic matched his offer sheet. They did add some toughness and rebounding by bringing in Drew Gooden and more depth up front with Kris Humphries and Tim Thomas.

2009-2010 Outlook:

They are still not in the same category as the Lakers or Spurs in the Western Conference, but should finish better than their sixth seed from a year ago. Dallas knows what they are going to get from Kidd and Nowitzki, the biggest factor to how their season goes is if Marion can bounce back from his worst statistical season as a pro since his rookie season. If he can, Dallas has a very good chance of earning home court advantage in the first round.

Starting two guard Josh Howard will miss the first couple of weeks of the season due to an ankle injury, but having a veteran like Jason Terry should fill in for Howard’s loss. This team is loaded with experience and coming off a first round playoff victory against the Spurs. Don’t be shocked if Dallas repeats that sort of feat and knocks off the Spurs or Lakers come postseason play.

Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2010:

The final year of Erick Dampier’s massively overpaid contract is not guaranteed so it is unlikely he will return to the Mavs who will unload the $13 million-plus he would be owed.

The other offseason situation will revolve around Nowitzki who has a $21.5 million player option on the final year of his contract. I would imagine Cuban will do everything possible to lock his best player to a long-term extension so he doesn’t try to hit the free agent market next summer. Josh Howard also has a team option on the final year of his deal worth $11.8 million and should be exercised. Cuban will also have to explore the option of reaching an extension with Howard as well.

2009-10 NBA Power Ranking: 6th