Dallas Mavericks: 2016 Offseason Grades

D-Will Will Return

For the first time since Jason Kidd in 2011-12, the Mavericks will have the same starting point guard in back-to-back seasons. Though the Deron Williams signing and subsequent re-signing came a few years too late when he was already past his prime, a little experience and stability will come in handy for Dallas’ backcourt.

On a one-year, $10 million deal, the Mavericks are right to reward a player who was surprisingly good for them last year without going overboard. A one-year deal leaves them flexibility to improve at the 1-spot if he shows signs of decline, but it also hauls in — believe it or not — one of the summer’s best free agent points guards not named Mike Conley.

Last season in Big D, D-Will averaged 14.1 points and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 41.4 percent from the floor and 34.4 percent from three-point land. He was also one of Dallas’ go-to players late in games, averaging a team-leading 3.7 points per game in clutch situations, per NBA.com. He ranked 12th in the entire league in total clutch points.

The raw numbers weren’t superb given his superstar past, but they were actually an improvement for D-Will compared to his prior season in Brooklyn.

At 32 years old, Williams’ history of ankle injuries is troublesome, especially since he was forced to exit Dallas’ first round playoff series due to a sports hernia. But that’s probably the biggest reason the Mavs were able to coax him into a one-year deal on such a manageable salary.

When it became apparent that Conley was staying put in Memphis — and, unfortunately, taking Chandler Parsons with him — Dallas did well to bring Williams back at such a modest price. It’s just too bad the Mavs had to settle for another backup plan once a game-changer like Conley spurned their advances.

Grade: B

Next: Bagging Barnes