Dallas Mavericks: Grading The Offseason

Jan 18, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks point guard Devin Harris (20) guards Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Wesley Matthews (2) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 127-111. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Zaza Pachulia (27) is ejected out of the game against the Chicago Bulls during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 92-81. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

The Mavs’ Starting Center?

In and of itself, this is an excellent deal. Giving up a future second round pick for a useful center who can knock down midrange jumpers like Zaza Pachulia? That’s a no-brainer, and Dallas did an excellent job of recovering amidst the desperation of losing DeAndre Jordan — especially so late in the free agency process.

Pachulia isn’t really a starting-caliber center these days, but he was better than any other center that was still on the market at that point. Giving up a second round pick is a small price to pay for part of the answer to the Mavs’ question marks at center.

Final year contract for Zaza Pachulia makes him an ok fit for Mavs on short term.
— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) July 10, 2015

However, Zaza isn’t a perfect fit in Big D. His ability to spread the floor might not be as valuable on a team that already has Nowitzki, and that pairing will struggle defensively since Pachulia isn’t a dominant rim protector or rebounder like Tyson Chandler was/DeAndre Jordan would’ve been.

However, with their backs against the wall, this is about as good as the Mavs could’ve done. Once again though, the value of the individual move doesn’t quite tell the full story of the offseason.

Grade: A-

Next: Bringing Back Barea

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