The Mavs were heavy underdogs heading into the playoffs, but they found a way to go seven games with the top-seeded Spurs before eventually falling in the series finale. Dallas’ offense was among the most potent in the league this season, but in an interview on KESN-FM 103.3’s “Afternoon Show with Cowlishaw and Mosely,” coach Rick Carlisle admitted he’d like to improve his squad’s defense and add some speed this summer (transcription from the Dallas Morning News). Here’s more on the Mavs’ offseason:
- In the same interview, Carlisle revealed that he, Dallas GM Donnie Nelson, and owner Mark Cuban are all in agreement that team continuity from year to year is important to success: “We want to keep this team together as much as we can so that we can kind of turn the page and continue with bringing back as many guys as we can.”
- During an analysis of the Mavs’ offseason, Marc Stein of ESPN.com pegs Larry Sanders as a potential trade target for the team. Stein points to Monta Ellis‘ resurgence in Dallas and wonders if playing for Carlisle could have the same effect on Sanders after a season to forget in Milwaukee.
- Two upcoming free agents that the Mavs should consider pursuing are Zach Randolph and Al-Farouq Aminu, writes Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. The skilled rebounding and defensive toughness that the either big man would bring are worth overpaying for, opines Sefko.
- Dallas intends on pursuing Carmelo Anthony this summer, as we passed along earlier today.