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Dallas Mavericks: Samuel Dalembert Returns

By Christian Blood

Nov 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks center Samuel Dalembert (11) yells during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Knicks 109-102 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks center Samuel Dalembert (11) yells during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Knicks 109-102 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Free-agent center Samuel Dalembert has agreed to terms, once again, with the Dallas Mavericks.

For perspective, Dalembert, just turned 34 in May, was drafted out of Seton Hall the same year Jennifer Lopez scored her first No.1 single in the United Kingdom with “Love Don’t Cost A Thing.”

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Well, as it turns out, Dalembert won’t cost a thing either. His one-year contract is for the veteran minimum and really seems to represent little in terms of rounding out the Mavericks roster, a grouping that’s obviously hurting at the center position without Tyson Chandler, Amar’e Stoudemire or DeAndre Jordan.

According to Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram,  owner Mark Cuban is on record stating that Dallas will not tank the coming season in order to land a potential top-three selection in the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery.

It’s hard to determine whether or not that’s a true statement or not, although Cuban sees tanking as a good thing around the league because the Mavs get more wins that way.

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Granted, additions like Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams seem to suggest that the Mavs are intent to seriously compete for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs next season, a goal that’s both admirable and certainly possible.

But Dalembert?

Even as a backup, the 6’11” veteran doesn’t seem to represent much under the rim and there’s still the possibility that free-agent center JaVale McGee could still be signed, pending a thorough health examination.

Let’s just say that hopefully McGee is healthy.

Now, this is not to say that Dalembert can’t contribute anything heading into his 15th NBA season.

It is to say, however, that Dalembert has played on a different team for the past six seasons, which counts the upcoming 2015-16 campaign. Further, the Mavericks have been down this road before and apparently there wasn’t enough of an impression back in 2013-14 to warrant a second look, right?

Yes, the ripple effect of Jordan’s should-be-penalized flake job on the Mavericks has come to this, at least regarding the center position.

If this was the same Dalembert who was scoring just more than 10 points per game almost a decade ago, then maybe there’s something to bring to the table in a backup role.

At this point, I can’t imagine Dalembert as anything more than a third-string player heading into next season.

Otherwise, the Mavs bench had better keep the scoring up in a big way in order to reduce Dalembert’s limited skills – the last time he averaged as much as eight points per game was in 2010-11, his first season away from the Philadelphia 76ers.

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    • Last season, Dalembert averaged just four points in 32 games played.

    No, offense isn’t Dalembert’s forte in the first place. He still blocks a shot per game and he’s way better at the free throw line than Jordan – or Chandler, for that matter.

    Dalembert can contribute in a limited role over somewhere between 15-20 minutes per game, tops.

    But keep your eyes on additional moves made by Dallas to give newly acquired center and apparent starter Zaza Pachulia a needed break come next season.

    Attention Brandan Wright: Mavericks Nation misses you too.

    Next: Dallas Mavericks: A Closer Look At Maurice Ndour

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