The Dallas Mavericks pushed the 2014 NBA Champion San
Antonio Spurs to 7 games in the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs.
That was better than the Portland Trailblazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Miami
Heat could do. Now it’s time to add pieces to a team poised to make a run in
2015. Over the next Five days I will bring you a different position and who the
Mavs may target.
Owner Mark Cuban and GM Donnie Nelson wasted no time in
making moves early in the Off-Season by trading Jose Calderon, Wayne Ellington,
Shane Larkin, Sam Dalembert, and two 2nd Round picks (Cleanthony
Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo) for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton.
The Mavs gave up quite a bit to bring back Tyson Chandler
(whom they loved in 2011) and an overweight PG in Felton, but they got out of
the Calderon (4 yr $29M) contract to clear space for this years big Free
Agents. The move has the Mavs with roughly $27 Milllion to spend this
Off-Season.
Here is a look at who the Mavs could be targeting:
Shooting Guard
With Monta Ellis here and playing well, look for the Mavs to
find depth in Free Agency.
1) Vince Carter – 6’6” 11.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Solid bench scorer at this point in his career. Poor shot
selection could hurt his stock, but Mavs would love him back at $3M.
2) Thabo Sefolosha – 6’7” 6.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Good defender with some size and 3-point range. A big part
of the Thunder’s rotation the past few years. Similar salary to Carter
($3M/year).
3) Keith Langford – 6’4” - 18.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg (Italy)
Fort Worth native could sign lower contract in order to get
a chance back in the NBA for his hometown team. Could be a depth guy on the
bench for a contender.
Monta Ellis is the guy for the Mavs, but they would like to bring Back Vince if he's willing to come back at the Veteran Minimum ($2.7M). Sefolosha adds a defensive presence that could be beneficial, especially against the Spurs or Thunder. Langford is a wild-card, he is an All-Star in Europe and is making pretty good money as well; but if Carter doesn't come back I would roll the dice on an offensive talent like Langford.
Check back again tomorrow for the final installment: Point Guard targets for the Mavs.
Geoffrey Craig
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