In March, Donnie Nelson explained that the Mavericks were quiet during the trade deadline because they already possessed a roster that could "contend this year" but also "be active out in the market."
Now that the contention part has been eliminated, it must be time to be active in the market.
Well, not exactly.
"There's lots of good players out there," Nelson, the Mavericks general manager, said Sunday during season-ending interviews at American Airlines Center. "And whether it's A, B, C, D, E, F, or keep the powder dry, which is always an option. Just because we have it doesn't mean we have to spend it. Those are all things that we'll take up this summer."
But can the Mavericks really afford to not land a big name free agent or two? The face of the franchise, Dirk Nowitzki , turns 34 next month. Don't the Mavs need to give Nowitzki, who is signed for two more years, as much help as quick as possible?
"Listen, how many years have we made the playoffs," Nelson questioned. "We don't plan on putting out anything less than a championship-caliber team. That's been [owner Mark Cuban's] history and that's our commitment to our fans and this city."
Nowitzki said Sunday that he thinks he "can still do it a couple more years." He also added that he could handle playing a co-star role if significant pieces are acquired.
"If that's the case I'd love to hand over the keys," Nowitzki said. "I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens. I still think I can play some great basketball and I can still contribute to a good team. But we'll have to see what happens this summer or next summer."
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