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Dallas Mavericks: Pre-Free Agency Roster Predictions

By Cole Mentzel

Nov 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) and forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 140-106. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) and forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 140-106. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Mavericks are set to have a really good summer as they enter free agency with somewhere around $30 million worth of cap space. Change has been the theme for the Mavs ever since they won the championship back in 2011 because they have had different starting lineups since the 2010-11 season.

Most of that is due to the fact that they have been chasing a “big fish” in free agency and they’ve fallen short each year.

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This year could be different and with Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis not returning, their starting lineup could be change again. Here’s what I project the roster to look like once the dust settles and the main part of free agency is over:

Starters

  • Mo Williams: The Dallas native has been interested in Dallas for some time now and he was even in the mix to be signed by the Mavs last season. The Mavs will most likely be looking for a low salary type point guard and Mo Williams is perfect for the job. From his experience to his familiarity with the city, I would expect him to sign with Dallas this summer.
  • Danny Green: It would be interesting to see the Mavs steal another player from a Texas rival, but I believe it’s in their future. They are expected to move on from Monta Ellis since he opted out of his contract and rumors have been swirling about Dallas being interested in Danny Green. He’s a great three-point shooter and a good defender, which is just what the Mavs need. Also, keep an eye on Wesley Matthews. He was spotted with Chandler Parsons and DeAndre Jordan earlier in the week.
  • Chandler Parsons: Parsons is the man at small forward for the Mavericks for years to come. He has already been busy on the recruiting front and many people believe he will help lead a few free agents to Dallas this summer. He is expected to be ready for the preseason after having surgery during the playoffs.
  • Dirk Nowitzki: Nowitzki recently said he was willing to take a bench role if Dallas was able to sign LaMarcus Aldridge but as of now, I just don’t see that happening. Aldridge is from Texas but he seems way more interested in the Lakers and Spurs at the moment. Dirk Nowitzki will keep his spot in the starting lineup for the upcoming season.
  • DeAndre Jordan: This may come as a shock to some but I feel like the Mavs will finally get a big time free agent this summer. Jordan is also a native Texan and he has been seen hanging out with Chandler Parsons multiple times this past week. Most sources say the Mavs are the biggest threat to steal him away from the Clippers and I think they will do just that.

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Bench

  • Devin Harris: Harris is one of the four Mavs under contract for the next season. He is a fan favorite and has a spot as the Mavs backup point guard on the roster. Harris should get minutes at the shooting guard position too since he is a combo guard. They aren’t going to trade him so he will be a big part of their scoring off the bench next season.
  • J.J. Barea: As another fan favorite, Barea will be most likely be signed back by the Mavs this summer. He is attracting interest from teams like the Heat, Bulls and Lakers but he should be back in Dallas. He showed his worth in the playoffs last season when he had a few great games against the Rockets.
  • Al-Farouq Aminu: This one’s going to be a little bit harder because of his brilliant defensive performance in the playoffs last season, but the Mavs have no choice but the bring him back. He’s young, energetic, explosive and talented. You can’t pass up on a young skills player when he wants to be back on your team. Aminu’s potential suitors consist of the Knicks, Celtics, Blazers, Raptors and his former team, the Pelicans.
  • Justin Anderson: Though he probably won’t be a big part of the rotation, Mavs draft pick Justin Anderson should get some time to play this season. The Mavs would like to develop him into another Jae Crowder-type player and he will have plenty of veterans to learn from this season.
  • Amar’e Stoudemire: Stoudemire will have other suitors like the Knicks and Lakers but the Mavs are going to be low on money if they sign DeAndre Jordan so they will need a decent veteran to come of the bench as a big man. Also watch for players such as Samuel Dalembert, Bismack Biyombo and Jermaine O’Neal because they could be potential fits in the Mavs roster.
  • Dwight Powell: Powell is known as the other guy who came over in the Rajon Rondo trade last season and he got some decent minutes last season. Look for him to build on that this season since he could become a more vital part of the rotation.

Others

There will most likely be a few more minimum players who fill in holes on the roster but at the moment, this group of players seems like the group that will be there on opening night in October. I also expect the Mavericks to try to keep a little continuity in their bench after the changes in recent seasons. They will need chemistry if they plan on contending again before Dirk Nowitzki retires.

The Mavs will have lots of work to do this summer between signing new players and bringing back old players but the roster I mentioned above seems like the most realistic and most likely one to happen. As always, the Mavericks will be big players in everything so keep a close eye on them this summer and enjoy free agency!

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