Dallas Mavs Contenders to Pretenders

The Dallas Mavericks — Western Conference champions and finals runner-up from last season are now out of the playoffs. Where did things go south for a franchise that once showed so much promise as contenders, only to become pretenders?

Was it the unprecedented trade that dealt away their young, franchise, world-premiere player? Or was it the decimation caused by injuries that followed the trade? From Kyrie’s season-ending torn ACL to the plethora of injuries that plagued their big men, the setbacks piled up.

What’s your take?