Coach: Rick Carlisle, 16 years (11 years with Mavericks), 718-578 (.554) overall.

Last Season: 24-58, did not reach the playoffs.

Key Returnees: Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Smith Jr., Harrison Barnes, Wesley Matthews, J.J. Barea, Dwight Powell, Salah Mejri.

Key Additions: Luka Doncic (rookie, Slovenia), Jalen Brunson (rookie, Villanova), DeAndre Jordan (LA Clippers), Devin Harris (Denver).

Key Losses: Nerlens Noel (Oklahoma City), Doug McDermott (Indiana), Yogi Ferrell (Sacramento), Seth Curry (Portland).

Outlook: The Mavericks made a bold move, engineering a trade for Luka Doncic, a 6-foot-8 Swiss Army Knife of a guard out of Slovenia taken with the No. 3 overall pick by Atlanta, surrendering No. 5 overall pick Trae Young and a 2019 first-round draft choice, then signed DeAndre Jordan to a free-agent deal to fill their gaping hole in the middle. Adding Doncic and Jordan, along with point guard Jalen Brunson out of Villanova, to rising star Dennis Smith Jr., old reliable — Dirk Nowitzki — and veterans Harrison Barnes, Wesley Matthews and J.J. Barea means Dallas should be if not much better than its 24-win campaign of last season, at least much more interesting to watch this season.