Dallas Mavericks: Who Steps Up With Brandan Wright Out?
On Oct. 10, the Dallas Mavericks announced that backup power forward and center Brandan Wright had sustained a small, non-displaced fracture to his left shoulder. There was no immediate information on how many weeks Wright would be out. A shoulder injury like the one that Wright sustained typically takes four to six weeks to heal.
The impact to a team missing a non-starter is typically not seen as a great loss unless the player in question is a Sixth Man of the Year candidate or a team’s primary scoring option off the bench. While Wright is neither of these for the Dallas Mavericks, he does fill a specific and important role.
The 2013-14 Mavericks have a superior roster to the one that took the court last season but they have limited depth in the frontcourt. Wright had backed up both Dirk Nowitzki and Samuel Dalembert in the Mavericks first two preseason games. The Mavericks have no experienced center on their roster behind Dalembert and the injury to Wright will test the Mavericks depth.
Who steps up?
While the Mavericks roster lacks a true backup center behind Samuel Dalembert, Brandan Wright was expected to fill in at times based on the matchup. The current roster that the Mavericks have presents few options at the center position. Without Wright, Dallas could lean on second year center Bernard James during the remainder of the preseason to see if has improved enough to merit minutes off the bench. James is slightly undersized at 6’10” and 240 pounds, but he plays aggressively in the paint. James averaged 2.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 9.9 minutes per game in 2012-13.
Despite the fact that James’ salary only counted for $788,872 against the salary cap, he was released on July 20 after a disappointing showing in the Las Vegas Summer League. Dallas needed to create salary cap space and James was subsequently released. James was free to sign with another team but he found no suitors on the open market. James re-signed with Dallas on a one-year deal on July 26.
DeJuan Blair has an opportunity to shine with Brandan Wright out. (Photo Credit/B. Jennings/Insidedfwsports)
The player in line to receive the biggest increase in minutes with the injury to Brandan Wright is power forward DeJuan Blair. Dallas was thrilled to find Blair available late into free agency and agreed with him on a one-year contract.
When asked what the appeal was with DeJuan Blair, Rick Carlisle responded, “We needed an ass kicker.” Blair’s physical presence will be valuable for a Dallas team that lacks a physical presence on the inside, but at only 6’7” he is not an option at the center position.
Going Small
With a roster flush with guards, coach Rick Carlisle may choose to go small whenever the opportunity presents itself. Jose Calderon, Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter provide Dallas with strong options on the offensive end of the court. The Mavericks may choose to go small anytime they are playing a team with a slender or undersized center.
While that aspect of the Mavericks roster is a positive, the lack of depth behind Dalembert is concerning. Dallas may be able to win games against lesser opponents relying on offense but the possible lack of rebounding and interior defense could make navigating through the Western Conference an arduous task.
A Challenge for Carlisle
Rick Carlisle is a creative head coach that will make the best of the roster he has, regardless of its limitations. Dallas will be leaning heavily on newly acquired center Samuel Dalembert this season but that could be a risky proposition. Dalembert played more than 20 minutes just 12 times during the 2012-13 season. Whether it be foul trouble, injury or ineffectiveness, the Mavericks will need to utilize their depth at some point early in the season. How the rest of the Dallas big men respond to the increase in playing time early in the season could determine how fast the new look Dallas Mavericks come out of the gate.
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