PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 8: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 8, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Mavericks have had one of the best off-seasons in franchise history. What more could fans want?

Think about the last six years. After the Mavericks won the 2011 championship, things unraveled fast. The team that finally brought the franchise to the promised land was dismantled quickly. But we were okay with it at the time.

Why? Because we were promised superstars. First it was Dwight Howard and Deron Williams. Then Carmelo Anthony. And then there was the whole DeAndre Jordan situation. Year after year, the Mavericks cleared cap space for nothing. Then they had to settle. For Monta Ellis, Jose Calderon, Chandler Parsons.

There didn’t really seem to be a plan beyond clear salaries to make cap room and hope for the best. Essentially, Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson would pitch free agents, then cross their fingers.

It didn’t work.

The Mavericks, ever resourceful, resorted to trades to obtain the players they wanted. They sent picks and young players to Boston for Rajon Rondo. It didn’t work out. They sent picks and young players to Philly for Nerlens Noel. It didn’t work out.

The result of this strategy was rosters full of veterans at the end of their career and undrafted free agents just happy to have a cup of coffee in the NBA. Most of the time it wasn’t fun to watch.

But now things seem different. Dallas looks like they have a different plan. There seems to be a patience in the front office that wasn’t there before. Cuban has emphatically stated the Mavericks are in win now mode, and they are. I’ve just never seen them go about it in such a smart way. To be honest, a couple of months ago I was sure Dallas would trade their draft pick.

With a little luck and some smart moves, Dallas has positioned itself to be a contender much sooner than anyone thought. The Mavericks had a good off-season. Whether that will translate into regular season wins is yet to be seen. But for the first time in a long time, Mavs fans have something to be excited about.