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Dallas Mavericks: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) celebrates with forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) after scoring during overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Mavericks won 115-112. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) celebrates with forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) after scoring during overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Mavericks won 115-112. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Mavericks
Jan 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) holds onto a rebound against the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Adding An Aussie

Barnes comes with his own set of inherent risks, especially on a gaudy contract like that. But Dallas’ other Golden State leftover, Andrew Bogut, was a pure home run for a team that needed a Plan B after missing out on Hassan Whiteside in free agency.

In a trade with the Warriors that was necessary to clear out enough cap space for Kevin Durant, the Mavs acquired a top-10 center with championship experience for a conditional second round pick. Dallas was also able to squeeze a 2019 second round pick out of Golden State in the process.

True enough, Bogut only has one year remaining on his contract before he hits free agency, but the Mavs should be in good position to re-sign him if they so choose. Dallas has a good basketball culture, a respectable head coach in Carlisle, a firm anti-tanking stance, enough talent to interest Bogut for the long-term and a likable franchise star. Plus, they have Harry B, a personal friend of Bogut’s, locked in for the long-term.

Last season, the 31-year-old Aussie averaged 5.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, but his rim protection and passing abilities were far more important to the Warriors’ success than the stat sheet could ever indicate.

Even after missing out on Whiteside, Dallas could’ve taken a chance on a younger rim protector like Festus Ezeli. For the long-term, that’s probably the route they should’ve taken with the post-Dirk era rapidly approaching. But at that point, the Mavs got their hands on the best available center who will form a nice frontcourt pairing with Nowitzki.

Even if he only amounts to a one-year rental, Bogut’s asking price was exceedingly low. In a vacuum, the value doesn’t get much better than a one-sided trade like this.

Grade: A-

Next: Signing Seth

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