Dallas Mavericks: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason

2. Decide on the center position (in the draft)

Last season the Dallas Mavericks used a 39-year-old Dirk Nowitzki as their starting center for the majority of the year. This worked for them in that it allowed them to play their superstar for one more year as a starter. However, Nowitzki got burned on defense regularly, which hurt them.

The Mavs currently have three centers on their roster who should get the starting nod over Nowitzki next year. As stated earlier, they might be able to sign a franchise-changing center, but for now we will focus on the ones on the roster.

Salah Mejri is a slight enigma. He is incredibly energetic as a player who defends the hoop like it is his own. Last year he averaged 1.1 blocks per game, which is a nice number, but not as nice as his 3.3 blocks per 36 minutes. He is also an adequate rebounder with 4.0 per game (12.0 rebounds per 36 minutes).

Mejri has an issue with fouling though. He only averaged 2.0 per game last season, but taken across to the per 36 minute metric, he is fouling out every game.

Dwight Powell is a nice piece to work around at starting center. He even started 25 games for the Mavericks last year. He is averaging 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Again, he is high energy and this would hopefully transfer to some of the other starters.

Nerlens Noel is a defensive specialist who can score with the right point guard. Often injured he is the biggest risk for the Mavericks. He is an unrestricted free agent and the Mavericks have to decide if he is worth paying what will be a steep price.

More than likely though, the Mavs’ best avenue for addressing the center position is through the draft, with a number of talented big men expected to be available. Mohamed Bamba, Jaren Jackson Jr., Marvin Bagley III or Wendell Carter Jr. would all look great next to Dennis Smith Jr. for the foreseeable future.