Dallas Mavericks: Brandan Wright Ready For A Bigger Role?

The Dallas Mavericks’ frontcourt in the 2014-15 season will be significantly different from the group that Dallas had last year. Tyson Chandler has replaced Samuel Dalembert, power forward Greg Smith is expected to replace the physical presence brought by DeJuan Blair, and Al-Farouq Aminu is expected to be a defensive specialist, capable of playing and defending the small and power forward positions.

Aside from Dirk Nowitzki, one familiar face the Mavericks will be counting on during the upcoming season is forward/center Brandan Wright. Wright (26) is entering his fourth season in Dallas, which makes him the second-longest tenured player on the team.

Given the Mavericks’ propensity to turn over their roster, the fact that the athletic forward remains in Dallas indicates the level of trust Wright has earned with his consistent play. Wright has spent three seasons in Dallas and his role with the team has been to provide depth at the forward and center position.

Wright has been an incredibly efficient performer for the Mavericks second unit. Wright is selective with his shot opportunities and his athleticism has proven to be a useful commodity, especially when the Mavericks utilize him in pick-and-roll situations.

Wright’s numbers reflect his continued growth and efficiency as a player. Wright improved his field goal percentage (67.7 percent), points (9.1) and rebounds (4.2) per game in 2013-14. He averaged 19 minutes per game last season but there is reason to think he will see the court more during the 2014-15 season.

Wright will begin the season as Tyson Chandler’s backup at the center position. There are times he could return over to the power forward situation given the matchup but his primary role will be to man the paint for the Mavericks’ second unit.

If the last three years are any indication, there will be times that Wright will be counted on to start or play a significantly higher number of minutes. Tyson Chandler has averaged only 61 games played the last three seasons he has spent with the New York Knicks.

Dallas is hopeful they will get the 2011 version of Chandler that was healthy for the vast majority of the season, but history would indicate they should expect to be without him for at least a small portion of the year.

If this is indeed the case, Wright will be counted on to do more for a Dallas team with aspirations of a deep playoff run.  So what can Dallas expect from Wright if they play him more than 25 minutes per game? If last season is any indication, the Mavericks could be in capable hands in the event Chandler misses time.

Wright played more than 25 minutes in eight games during the 2013-14 season, and in those games he averaged 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. The most impressive statistical aspect of Wright’s numbers in those games is his field goal percentage. Wright shot 75 percent from the field when the Mavericks asked him to play more than 25 minutes per game, an incredibly impressive number.

Wright is most effective on the court against teams that lack a physical center or when opposing teams decide go to with smaller lineups. This is when Wright’s athleticism and jumping ability provide him with quality looks around the basket.

The Mavericks would prefer that Wright avoids extended matchups against physical centers like Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol and Tim Duncan, but there may be times they have no better alternative.

Wright has shown steady growth throughout his six-year career and the 2014-15 season in Dallas should provide him with another opportunity to display his growth and maturity as a player. Wright is entering the last year of a two-year, $10 million dollar contract he signed prior to the 2012-13 season.

A strong season from Wright could ensure he remains in Dallas for the foreseeable future, a situation that would be beneficial for Wright and the Dallas Mavericks.