Howdy, MFFLs.

We’re bringing back the weekly mail bag.

Since this is the first week of the restart, the pickings were a little slim. But rest assured, I’ll be here every week for your questions, so bring them on.

I may not always have answers, but I’ll do my best.

So send in those inquiries to @ESefko on Twitter or by email at eddie.sefko@dallasmavs.com.

And away we go.

FROM JIMMY J.: Am I crazy to want to see Eugene Omoruyi playing some meaningful minutes after seeing these first two games? He’s pure energy.

SEFKO: Can’t speak to the part about whether you’re crazy or not. Your friends and family would know better. But as for Omoruyi, I’d love to see him get some run before the season is too deep. But here’s something to consider. The difference between the superstars and the good players in the NBA is significant. However, the difference between the good players and the 15th men on the roster is not significant at all. They all can claim to be among the top 500 basketball players in the world and nobody would ask. But when you’re in that group, it often comes down to confidence and opportunity. I’d like to see both Omoruyi and JaQuori McLaughlin get some confidence in the G-League, then get their feet wet in the NBA. Don’t rush them. If you time it right, you never know what you might get out of them.

FROM VINNY H.: Some national writers) are telling Mavs you got what you need in Dwight Powell to trade for Joe Ingles. And also could use Maxi Kleber and Trey Burke for Robert Covington. Two versatile players and Ingles is a secondary playmaker.

SEFKO: I’m presuming you would like an opinion on all of this. But to be honest, I have none at this point. Most sensible folks have a rule of thumb that when you think you have a pretty good team, you wait at least 10 games before you start drawing any firm conclusions about it. And 20 games would be better. Not saying that the Mavericks aren’t always looking at opportunities to improve. But what would you think if they win these first four home games (very doable) and continue to split on the road? Suddenly they’d be 6-2 and ahead of the sticks, as they say in football. And put yourself in the shoes of the other teams. Would you do the deals you suggest? They’re trying to get better, too. Of that, I’m fairly certain.

FROM PETE O.: Two seasons ago, the Mavericks had the league’s No. 1 offense. Last year, it was still No. 8. What changed? (I think I already know).

SEKFO: What changed is it’s three games and not 62 or 72. The sample size is way too small right now to say the Mavericks are a mediocre or bad offensive team. Just like you can’t say they’re a good rebounding team or a low-turnover team. Again, it’s the 10-game test. Don’t get happy (or ticked off) about stats until they’ve had a chance to level off. So far, they have had sluggish offensive starts to all three games. But they are 2-1. If they wake up around Christmas and are 20-10 and are 40-20 in February, I’m pretty sure the Mavericks will be good with that.

FROM EMS: I’m curious what kind of money Dorian Finney-Smith might get on the open market? Very hard to put your finger on that one. He keeps improving, but it seems like he can’t quite put three good games together.

SEFKO: Excellent question. First of all, you can bank on it that Finney-Smith is going to get one heck of a raise. He’s been one of the NBA’s biggest bargains for the last three seasons, earning just $4-million per year. So figure on him commanding the mid-level exception, at the least. One problem to keep your eye on is that Jalen Brunson will be in the same ballpark, if not higher, after this season.

FROM THAI N.: What percentage of Mavericks are COVID non-vaccinated?

SEFKO: To the best of my knowledge, only Trey Burke is unvaccinated. But don’t quote me.

FROM LONEMAVSFAN: How many unneeded COVID tests do the Mavericks think they are forcing onto our stressed medical community and labs by requiring healthy asymptomatic fans to test? What number of medical man hours is OK to waste for a Mavs’ home game?

SEFKO: Just have your CDC vaccination card and it’s the end of the discussion. And, by the way, places I’ve seen offering tests aren’t exactly overflowing with a line out the door.

TWITTER: @ESefko

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