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Hardwood Paroxysm presents: Winners, losers and shockers of NBA free agency

By HP Basketball Network

Apr 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jerryd Bayless (19) celebrates with center Zaza Pachulia (27) and guard Khris Middleton (22) after scoring the game -winning shot against the Chicago Bulls in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Bulls 92-90. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jerryd Bayless (19) celebrates with center Zaza Pachulia (27) and guard Khris Middleton (22) after scoring the game -winning shot against the Chicago Bulls in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Bulls 92-90. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban helps fire up the crown during the second half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban helps fire up the crown during the second half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dallas Mavericks are Fighting the Tide

Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) — Hardwood Paroxysm

People recover from break ups in different ways. Some become shut ins, some react with anger, others put on a face for the public, while everyone chooses to play along with the charade.

After the loss of big fish free agent DeAndre Jordan, the Dallas Mavericks are embarking on some variation of the third path. Getting spurned at the 11th hour by their target free agent centerpiece essentially crushed any hopes at a reload for the Mavericks. And yet, similar to the past few summers, Dallas has managed to cobble together an actual basketball team.

While pursuing DeAndre Jordan for their center position, the Dallas front office concurrently made an offer to Portland shooting guard Wesley Mathews. After Jordan fell through, Dallas boosted Matthew’s initial contract offer of 4 years, $57 million to the 4 year max at $70 million. It was a gesture of good will to Matthews for honoring his agreement and a message to every other NBA player that the Mavericks take care of those who join the organization.

Zaza Pachulia was acquired to help fill the hole at center and Deron Williams finally made his way home after getting bought out by the New Jersey Nets. Somehow the Mavericks have ended up with a reasonable looking starting line up (Williams, Matthews, Parsons, Nowitzki, and Zaza). A quality rookie in Justin Anderson and Devin Harris are coming off the bench.

There are still massive holes in terms of big man depth. The West is still absurdly competitive. Dallas is probably a fringe playoff contender at best, but considering they were staring at becoming one of the 5 worst teams in basketball after the DeAndre decision, rebounding to become somewhat competitive has to be seen as a moral victory at the very least. Dirk’s final years won’t be like fans had envisioned, but they’ll still be a team to watch.

Next: Jazz Dribbled Out the Clock

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