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Dallas Mavericks: 3 takeaways from 2019 NBA offseason

By Adam Tayabali

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 26: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced) Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks stands on the court against the Sacramento Kings on March 26, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sean Berry/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 26: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced) Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks stands on the court against the Sacramento Kings on March 26, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sean Berry/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images.
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images. /

3. Added depth at the guard spot

Last January, with J.J. Barea suffering a season-ending Achilles injury and Dennis Smith Jr. later traded to the New York Knicks, the Mavericks were thin at the point guard spot.

Rookie second-round pick Jalen Brunson filled in admirably. He averaged 15.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game on 52.7 percent shooting from the field in the month of April.

With Barea likely to miss most if not all of the 2019-20 season, the Mavericks needed more help at the guard spot.

Brunson has shown the potential to fill the role Barea filled for years. A quality sixth man that can lead the second unit while also stepping into the starting role when needed. But he’s still inexperienced and could develop his game further.

They agreed to sign 3-point specialist Seth Curry. Curry had his best pro season with the Mavs in 2016-17 when he averaged career-highs of 12.8 points and 2.7 assists per game. He also shot 45.0 percent from deep last season, helping the Portland Trail Blazers capture the No. 3 seed and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Dallas also acquired guard Delon Wright in a sign-and-trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. Wright signed a three-year, $29 million deal while the Mavs send the Grizzlies a pair of second-round picks.

Wright averaged 12.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game but was a poor 3-point shooter at 25.6 percent. He is expected to start in the back-court alongside Luka Doncic, despite head coach Rick Carlisle remaining flexible on line-ups.

That the Mavericks missed out on Beverley and Green is eased somewhat with the additions of Curry and Wright with Brunson likely continue improving his game.

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