Al-Farouq Aminu Joins Dallas Mavericks

The busy, successful offseason for the Dallas Mavericks continues.

Though the Mavs won’t be getting the perimeter shooting they were hoping for from the forward position after voiding Rashard Lewis‘ contract, they will be getting a steal with Al-Farouq Aminu, who has agreed to a two-year deal with Dallas worth the veteran’s minimum. CSN Northwest originally reported the deal, while NBA.com’s David Aldridge revealed the details of the contract:

Aminu’s career averages of 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game don’t exactly jump off the page, but the prospect of what Rick Carlisle can do with this NBA talent, especially on such a friendly contract, is intriguing. Aminu won’t be spreading the floor for the Mavs since he’s a career 29.2 percent three-point shooter, but his defense and rebounding make him an interesting option off the bench.

Aminu provides Dallas with a little frontcourt depth behind Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs represent Aminu’s best supporting cast by far after spending four underwhelming years in the league with the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans.

Last season with the Pellies, Aminu averaged 7.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while starting in 65 games. He shot 47.4 percent from the floor despite only converting 27.1 percent of his attempts from three-point range.

At only 23 years old, Aminu also represents the piece that will replace Shawn Marion, who is likely to end up somewhere else in free agency. The Mavs were going to miss Marion’s versatility, his length, his defense and his do-it-all game, but Al-Farouq Aminu brings a little bit of that to the table and will have the chance to grow under a quality NBA coach. Dallas is seriously poising itself for a deeper playoff run this season. If only they played in the East….