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:
Power Forward
You already know who’s at the top of the list.
1) Dirk Nowitzki - 7’0” 21.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg
Expect Dirk back, he’s said he’ll take less money in order
to make team better. Expect contract similar to Tim Duncan in the $10M/year
range. Even at age 36, still can fill it up.
2) DeJaun Blair - 6’8” 6.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Solid Role Player for Mavs last season. Mavs would love him
back if he’s willing to take another one-year $900K contract. Bad knees, but still a good physical
presence.
3) Kris Humphries - 6’9” 8.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg
Finally, that God-Awful 2-yr $24 million contract is over. Now teams can pay
Humphries what he is actually worth. He's a tough guy and good rebounder. Averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds/game with NewJersey/Brooklyn for 2.5 years, but has career averages of 6 points and 5.5 boards in 10 seasons. If he
wants to win, he’ll sign with a good team for veteran minimum.
The list looks small at the Power Forward position and it should. All indications are Dirk will return and the Mavs already have Brandon Wright as the backup at the 4 position. So, in theory, the Mavs are looking for a player who can each up 6-10 minutes per game and possibly play the 5 (Center) position in a pinch.
Check back tomorrow for the biggest need on the Mavs: Small Forward
Geoffrey Craig
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