They’ll never admit it, but the Dallas Mavericks made if farther in the playoffs than they ever imagined they would this year. From top to bottom the whole organization would deny that, emphatically claiming they believed all along. But that can’t be the case.
You don’t trade your second or third best player (go ahead and argue that one in the comments) in Kristaps Porzingis midway through the season if you think you have a chance at winning a championship. Whatever chemistry issues or strategic complexities Porzingis caused while on the Mavericks, they would have dealt with it if they thought a ring was within reach.