NBA intel: Execs, scouts on sinking Mavs, soaring Lakers and Spurs - ESPN

There weren't many people, inside the NBA or outside of it, believing the arguments Nico Harrison made in February as to why he orchestrated one of the most shocking deals in league history in sending Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

There also weren't many people believing Harrison should have remained as Mavs general manager as Dallas saw its ugly end to last season carry over into this one, including «Fire Nico!» chants ringing out at home during Mavericks free throws in a one possession game Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.

So, in that spirit, we decided to ask league executives and scouts whether they're believing in some of the most impactful early-season trends across the NBA, beginning with the crater that is the Mavericks franchise before moving on to hot starts for the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder's chances at 70 wins and what's next for the suddenly deep Rookie of the Year race.

Jump to intel:
Will sliding Mavs have to trade AD?
Will Magic figure out their offense?
Will Lakers and Spurs stay this hot?
Will Clippers keep looking this old?
Will Thunder capture 70-plus wins?
Will the ROY race stay wide open?

Tim Bontemps: In conversations with sources around the NBA this week in the wake of Harrison's firing, there is a near universal belief that the Mavericks cannot remain as bad as their 3-9 record and minus-6.5 point differential suggests. Does that mean league insiders are projecting a playoff run?

No.

«I still think they could be good if everyone is healthy,» a Western Conference executive told ESPN. «But you can't bet on that.»

Even if healthy — Dallas is far from it now, with Anthony Davis playing just five games and