NBA: Preseason Ranking for the Western Conference

10. Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks will have quite a different look this season. If you’ve heard them called something along the lines of the “Golden State Mavericks” or “Dallas Warriors” there is an ironic reason for that.

The Mavericks added three players who have a past history with the Warriors, two of which are quite notable. Dallas signed Harrison Barnes to a four-year max deal, worth $94 million. The Mavericks also acquired Andrew Bogut from the Warriors after Golden State had to move Bogut’s salary off of their cap. And, in the namesake of the NBA MVP, the Mavericks signed Stephen Curry‘s brother, Seth.

The younger Curry had been with the Sacramento Kings, but Sacramento rescinded their qualifying offer to Curry, making him a free agent. Curry chose Dallas, where he hopes to flourish. However, he too has Golden State ties. Curry spent time with the Warriors briefly in 2013.

When it comes to the Mavericks as a whole, there are some questions. Harrison Barnes is now paid as a top option, something he never had to be with the Warriors. Can Barnes handle the increased load and increased expectations? Barnes is a good player, but he’s not a score-first player who has put up 20+ points per game. For his career, Barnes has averaged just over 10 points per game.

Of course, the argument can be made that Barnes never needed to score much with the Warriors, and for the most part that is true. But now that he’s on a max deal, the expectations will change.

Dallas also brings in Bogut, who was a key piece of the Warriors’ success over his tenure in the Bay Area. Bogut, though, has an injury history and will be 32 in November. It will be worth watching to see how Bogut holds up.

And finally, there is Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki has been great for so many years in Dallas, but he is now 38. How much does he have left? We’ll find out. He may be at the tail-end of his career, but he’s been the centerpiece of this team for a generation now.

Next: No. 9