Dallas Keeps Dirk Nowitzki, Adds Harrison Barnes, But is it Enough to Be a Playoff Team?

The Dallas Mavericks haven’t won a playoff series since capturing the NBA Title in 2011, and after a few summers of free agent failures, Mark Cuban finally delivered this week. Dirk Nowitzki is staying in Dallas for 2-years and $40 million (by all accounts Dirk was Golden State’s backup plan if they didn’t get Kevin Durant), and the Mavericks also landed Harrison Barnes (4-years, $94 million) and center Andrew Bogut from Golden State.

I was wrong about the Mavs last year. I thought they’d be among the worst in the West. They made the playoffs (and were swept pummeled 4-1 by OKC). But it looks like they were able to retain everyone except Chandler Parsons. I’m not sure Barnes is an upgrade – feels like a lateral move – but perhaps he’ll be healthier.

What the Mavericks are looking at lineup-wise:

C – Bogut/Salah Mejri/JaVale McGee/AJ Hammons
PF – Dirk/Dwight Powell
SF – Barnes/Jeremy Evans
SG – Wes Matthews/Justin Anderson/Seth Curry
PG – Deron Williams/Devin Harris/JJ Barea

That’s a nice collection of talent. But in the West, are the Mavericks a playoff team?