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Dallas Mavericks: Retaining Doug McDermott should be a priority

By Adam Tayabali

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 8: Doug McDermott #20 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 8, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 8: Doug McDermott #20 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 8, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

Despite only having him for 26 games, the Dallas Mavericks should prioritize re-signing restricted free agent forward Doug McDermott.

When the Chicago Bulls had traded two first round picks for the draft rights to Doug McDermott in the 2014 NBA Draft, it was a match made in heaven.

For one, the Bulls needed to ease the offensive burden heaped onto Derrick Rose’s shoulders, especially after he missed the entire 2012-13 season and 72 games in the 2013-14 season due to knee injuries. Chicago ranked 24th and 28th in offensive efficiency those seasons, with Rose’s absence being the clear reason why.

On the other side of the equation stood Doug McDermott. The No. 11 overall pick was a scoring machine, averaging 26.7 points per game in his senior season at Creighton University. He currently ranks fifth all-time on the NCAA Division I scoring list with 3,150 points. He was the missing piece to a championship contender.

Despite this, he struggled to find playing time with the Bulls. He averaged only 8.9 minutes and 3.0 points per game in his rookie season.

Fortunately, the Bulls hired an offensive-minded head coach in Fred Hoiberg in his second and third seasons. The 2016-17 season saw him average career-highs in minutes (24.4 per game), points (10.1 per game), and rebounds (3.0 per game). He showed his full offensive arsenal when he scored a career-high 31 points in a 108-104 win against the Memphis Grizzlies.

However, 44 games into the season, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The offseason after, he was shipped to the New York Knicks in the Carmelo Anthony deal, and was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

Now on his fourth team in two seasons, it’s been difficult for him to find a long-term home. As an upcoming restricted free agent, here’s why the Mavericks should focus on retaining his services.

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