APBRmetrics

Do they have more than a 10% chance of getting to Western finals in next 2 years? Did they choose the right strategy for this moment in their history / Dirk lifecycle? They have a mix of older and younger guys. Not that exciting compared to the very top teams though. Different from the options of a total win now, bigger money drop or a tear down. Wonder what they get from it an dwhat they do a 6, 12 and 18 months from now. I expect it will change toward total tear down sometime.

Monta Ellis one of only 17 players who averaged 25+ minutes per game and had an offensive rating of 100 or below.
http://bkref.com/tiny/OZ0El (Jru Holiday and Avery Bradley are also on this list.)

A questionable acquisition. Will he flourish with Dirk, not, sell tickets or eventually get used as a trade chip? Something to watch and reflect back on later.

Ellis somewhat better at PG in Milwaukee but worse there at Golden State. What balance between PG / SG do the Mavs have in mind for Ellis and what will actual happen?

Cuban has repeatedly said they want Dirk to retire a Mav, and it's never been their MO to rebuild through the draft, so their ability to do a full rebuild seems stalled until Dirk retires (unless of course he re-signs very cheaply and is okay playing on a lottery team). While they should probably have traded Dirk when they lost Chandler and Kidd, I can understand their loyalty from a marketing perspective. But they are wasting the last of Dirk's years as a key guy by fielding a middle of the road team. The Ellis signing seems pretty questionable, seems like a pretty major downgrade from Mayo unless he suddenly stops shooting long jumpers and plays D. And not sure why Calderon was given a four year deal when the team drafted Larkin and also wanted to sign Harris.
I've heard they're going to make a hard push for Aldridge when he becomes a FA as the heir to Dirk. Considering he played at Texas and wants out of Portland, I could see that happening. I believe they recently hired one of Portland's trainers that LA was very close with. But not sure if the team's pieces will offer an upgrade over what LA has in Portland.
As it stands I would say they're dogs to make the playoffs either of the next two years, let alone the WCF. I'd give them less than a 3% chance.