National Basketball Association

Roundtable: Who Will Be the Mavericks MVP?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Feb 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) and forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrate during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

With the season drawing closer everyday, the staff wanted to make its predictions on who the Dallas Mavericks MVP will be in the upcoming season.

In general, over the last nearly 20 years, this question was basically useless. Dirk Nowitzki has been the Dallas Mavericks Most Valuable Player really since his 2nd year in the league, and with a living legend like him, it is still hard to bet against the big German.

However, maybe for the first time realistically since the big 3 of Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Michael Finley took the floor together, the Mavericks have other options to take over as the team MVP. Young players, future potential stars, and established but younger veterans all have a shot to be the team’s best player.

Dirk defied all odds last season by leading the team once again to a winning record and a playoff berth. Now at 38 years old, he will look to do it again but with hope that someone can come and help him out this year. Will that person be more than just a helper and look to take over for the aging star?

Our staff took the time to look through the roster and make some predictions as to who they believe will be this year’s Dallas Mavericks MVP. Here is what everyone said.

Apr 21, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) warms up before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Wesley Matthews

“The Mavs MVP this year will be Wesley Matthews. A year removed from his achilles injury, Matthews is finally in game shape and is set to lead the mass in minutes again. Let’s not forget that he won’t shoot a career low from three again this season.”

-Evan Siegel

March 23, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) shoots the basketball against Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 114-98. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Bogut

“The Mavs MVP will be Andrew Bogut. I see him becoming the 2010-11 Tyson Chandler we’ve been searching for since we let him go. I think that’s the thing this team has truly lacked since our last title run. Last year was Zaza Pachulia, Dallas sort of got back to that style. Bogut is much better player than Zaza. It should get this team rolling early and often.”

-Austin Denius

Jan 8, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 96-95. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Wesley Matthews

“It will always be Dirk until he finally hangs them up, but to be fun I’m going with Wes Matthews. I think (more like pray) he’s going to return to his Portland numbers this year, which will put him close to the top of the points chart. He’s also the best two-way player we have by a mile, which makes him much more valuable.

If you take Matthews out of the lineup we have Seth Curry or Devin Harris starting at the off guard spot and no one really coming in off the bench. Aside from tanking our defense, this would force Barnes to guard the best player every night AND be a primary offensive weapon, which is a workload we haven’t seen since Luol Deng‘s Chicago days. I think Wes is going to come back in phenomenal shape and be hungrier than ever.”

-Shawn James

Feb 3, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) drives to the basket past Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Dirk Nowitzki

“The Mavs MVP this year will be the same as it has been for the last 18 years, Dirk Nowitzki. As Dallas transitions to a more defensive-focused roster, the pressure on Dirk to produce offensively will be heavier than in the past few seasons. And as we know, pressure is nothing new for Nowitzki. I expect the Big German to have another solid season and average close to 20 points a game, and again be the Mavs MVP.”

-Sam Casey

Harrison Barnes

“I have stayed away from the Harrison Barnes bandwagon for the most part of this offseason but today I have to climb aboard. People around the league have been critical of Barnes all summer and the money that he is making but it really doesn’t make any sense.

Harrison Barnes is capable of greatness. He may not achieve it this year, but I believe that he will make serious strides towards it. Combine that with the age of Dirk and I think that everyone is ready to see Barnes make this his team. Offensive struggles in the past aside, we will see a Harrison Barnes that the Golden State Warriors could’ve only dreamed of last season.”

-Kohl Rast

Apr 16, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle reacts to a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in game one of the first round NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Dirk Nowitzki

“How can the answer to this question not be Dirk Nowitzki? Coming off a brand new contract, it feels like the pressure is on Dirk to remain (or return) in his current form and lead the Mavericks to another playoff run. With a good supporting case and being as healthy as a 38-year old basketball player can be, I think Nowitzki will be looking to cash in on his final years in the league and will be gunning for a ring on his way out. With that being said, that’s why I expect him to play at a high level and lead this team as the most valuable player. As Dirk goes, so do the Mavericks. ”

-Eron Ramadanov

Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) defends during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dirk Nowitzki

“The Mavs MVP will be Dirk Nowitzki, still. I think that through most games he will be well rested but will play most of the 4th quarters when he will be most effective. The MVP doesn’t necessarily mean that he will score the most points but he will certainly be the most valuable player on the Dallas Mavericks this year. His shooting ability and the fact that defenders will still have to be aware of where he is on the floor will open up things for everyone else.”

-Ricky Castro

Mar 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) reacts to a play in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Wesley Matthews

“Wesley Matthews is my pick for MVP. Last year was his “recovering” season while this season he will show he is worthy of every penny. Bringing in Barnes will take some of the defensive responsibilities off Matthews and allow him to focus more on his offensive game. This will reflect in his three-point percentage getting back to elite level. His lockdown defense, bounce back offensive game, and overall leadership will make him the MVP in Dallas.”

-Isaac Harris

It is no shock that multiple different players got votes for the MVP award in Dallas this year, but only time will tell who predicted right. So who will it be? One of the four listed before? Or someone we didn’t even consider?