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NBA Team Needs – Dallas Mavericks

By Ed Isaacson

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The Dallas Mavericks are now out the point where they are running out of chances to win with the current roster as players such a Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and Shawn Marion are now well into the 2nd half of their careers.  Can the deep draft in 2010 provide the Mavericks with hope for their future?

Returning Players–  Dirk Nowitzki (PF – Player Option); Erick Dampier (C); Jason Terry (PG); Caron Butler (SG); Jason Kidd (PG); Shawn Marion (SF); Matt Carroll (SG); DeShawn Stevenson (SG); Eduardo Najera (PF); Jose Juan Barea (PG – Team Option); Rodrique Beaubois (PG)
Returning Players–  Dirk Nowitzki (PF – Player Option); Erick Dampier (C); Jason Terry (PG); Caron Butler (SG); Jason Kidd (PG); Shawn Marion (SF); Matt Carroll (SG); DeShawn Stevenson (SG); Eduardo Najera (PF); Jose Juan Barea (PG – Team Option); Rodrique Beaubois (PG) /

Team Payroll (11 Players) – $84,013,850

Estimated Salary Cap – $56,000,000

Team Needs– Future frontcourt players

Position Needs – SF, PF, C

Picks –  2nd Round (#50)

Analysis– Looking at the Dallas Mavericks roster, it is quite that easy to pinpoint what their needs are.  With the rumors of Dirk Nowitzki opting out of the last year of his deal and Erick Dampier near the end of his career, the Mavs frontcourt is in serious need of an infusion.  One second round pick at #50 is not going to solve these problems.  The two options I believe they have here is to either look at an international player they can stash overseas for another year or two, or possibly swing for the fences with the best athletic big man left at this point.  Of the internationals, the possibilities include Artem Zabelin, a 7-2 Russian big man and Paulo Prestes, a 6’10 Brazilian playing in Spain.  While I don’t believe either will be a star in the league, they could help shore up a depleted front line.  Zabelin will need to get stronger and work on becoming a more dominant rebounder, while Prestes is more power than finesse, but really needs to work on his touch around the rim. 

An intriguing option for the Mavericks would be to take a flier on Charles Garcia out of Seattle U.  Extremely athletic, but raw and with a history of off-the-court issues, Garcia could blossom into a versatile forward who can move between the 3 and 4 and provide instant energy to the offense.  His defensive effort needs to improve, but it may be worth a shot to a team with a serious dearth of options up front.  The other choice would be to look at a more traditional big man to provide some depth.  Players such as AJ Ogilvie or Art Parakhouski can provide immediate help to Dampier down low.