What Position Does Dallas Address Next?
Dallas has nearly filled out their training camp roster. After picking up Doran Finney-Smith, the three-&-D rookie out of Florida, and Nicolas Brussino, a nice young slasher out of Argentina, and signing AJ Hammons, Dallas' second round pick with first round talent on partially guaranteed three year deals, the roster is sitting at 14. The regular season roster can have a maximum of 15, and the training camp roster can have 20. Take a look at the depth chart as it stands right now, and then we'll get into what should be added.
PG: Deron Williams | J.J. Barea | Devin Harris
SG: Wesley Matthews | Seth Curry
SF: Harrison Barnes | Justin Anderson | Nicolas Brussino
PF: Dirk Nowitzki | Dwight Powell | Dorian Finney-Smith
C: Andrew Bogut | Salah Mejri | A.J. Hammons
So clearly, nothing needs to be added to fill out the starting five. And if you're a team that is still searching for starters this late in the offseason, well, you're not making the playoffs. Honestly, the 12 man rotation is likely already set in stone as well, but there is still some good young talent that can help this team out and step up when in need.
The center, small forward, and point guard positions are all set and ready to go, in my opinion. The point guard position is three deep with proven veterans, D-Will leading the charge. At the three slot, Harrison Barnes is a 24 year old that has proven himself as a starter, but will continue to work to be a first option guy, and Justin Anderson is the best rookie the Mavs have had in years and will see plenty of time at that position so that he can continue to grow. Nicolas Brussino is a guy that we'll have to wait and see about in the preseason, but I am intrigued by the kid. Between Anderson and Barnes, however, Dallas will have two young guys that can split time without running out of gas. Finally, at the center position, Andrew Bogut has been an incredible anchor for the Golden State Warriors and will prove to be even more valuable on a team like Dallas that is in more need of him. In Salah Mejri, the Mavs have a 29 year old second year guy that can continue to grow, while giving the team valuable minutes. And last but not least, Dallas' 46th overall pick AJ Hammons is believed to be a guy that can turn into a first round talent as long as he gives 100%, which he didn't always do at Purdue.
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So, that leaves room for improvement at the power forward and shooting guard positions. At the two slot, Wesley Matthews and Seth Curry are two great players, nobody doubts that, but a third option there could be very helpful. Matthews had an up and down season in his comeback year from an achilles injury and is expected to be huge for Dallas on a more consistent basis. Seth Curry is a 45% shooter from 3 and is only 25 years old. I am crossing every finger and toe that I have that Rick will give him a fair shot and allow him to prove himself, because I think he can be huge. But, Curry could still be a bit of a gamble, so a third string guy for security would be very helpful. The first name that comes to mind is Jonathan Gibson. At 6'2, 172 pounds, he's a little undersized, but in his first game in the Vegas Summer League, Gibson put on a show. The guard from New Mexico State scored 30 points and shot 6-10 from three point range. If he keeps this up, or anything close to it, he must be considered to take a roster spot for Dallas. Although he started at the point position, he seems much better suited for the two guard spot in the NBA.
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Next, the power forward position could use some kind of third string guy there. Dirk is obviously the starter for the next couple of years. Maybe three. You never know with the big German. Dwight Powell just signed a huge 4 year, $37 million deal. He's only 24 years old with tremendous upside, not to mention a 6'11, 240 pound frame with leaping abilities that are often overlooked. I always thought that he deserved more time, but now, with the money to back it up, he really does. The third power-forward on the team, Dorian Finney-Smith is a rookie out of Florida that could have very easily been a second round pick. He's a really solid three-&-D guy, but I think he is much better suited for the small forward position. In my mind, it could very likely come down to DFS (his name is too long to type a bunch), and Nicolas Brussino as the third string three. Either of them would spend a lot of time in the D-League anyway.
With Powell attempting to grow into his full potential, and Dirk taking the heavy burden as always, playing time for this possible third string guy will be very limited. However, Dirk is going to get a lot of rest, and Dwight Powell still isn't 100% reliable, so a security type guy that could step up if needed would be very welcomed. The secure guy should also be a young guy, so that Dallas can develop him, while still getting just enough time out of him. Two guys that fit that bill? Brandon Ashley and Jared Sullinger. Sullinger's rights were just renounced by Boston, making him an unrestricted free agent. He's only 24 years old and played 81 games for Boston, the most in his four year career. He averaged 10.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in 24 minutes per game for the Celtics and could prove very valuable for a team for a few years. I wouldn't mind the Mavs taking him in as a reclamation type project. Brandon Ashley, who played for the Mavericks last preseason, signed with the Texas Legends before going overseas last season. Ashley killed it for the Legends, and could be an end of the bench contributor for a team next season. Brandon is 21 years old, put up 14 points per game, 7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, along with 39% three point shooting for the Texas Legends season. He's currently trying to make his jump to the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks' Las Vegas Summer League team.
With 6 spots open for training camp, the power forward and shooting guard positions likely won't be the only two positions addressed. Dallas only has room for league minimum contracts, which is why I didn't look at free agents available such as JR Smith or Lance Stephenson, who will likely get more and would take time away from the younger guys anyway. While there may not be any real need at any position, help is always welcomed. In my opinion, I would be more than happy to bring in Brandon Ashley and Jonathan Gibson. Sullinger may end up taking time away from Powell, which no one wants to see. Ashley wouldn't take time away from Powell since he is younger and has a lot more time to develop. Gibson could bring in some quick three point shooting when necessary and would continue to grow in the D-League for the Mavs to use a little while down the line. Any of the final three guys in Dallas 15 man roster will likely spend most of their time in Frisco with the Legends, but that doesn't mean they can't contribute next season, and for seasons to come.
