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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 Will Newton/Getty Images
Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images /

2. Mavs still need to add a center

As of now, the main pieces of the Dallas Mavericks frontcourt are Kristaps Porzingis, Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber, all of whom were re-signed to long-term deals this offseason.

They also signed Boban Marjanovic to a two-year deal. At 7’3″, Marjanovic is one of the biggest and dominant scoring forces around the rim. Unfortunately, he doesn’t play major minutes due to the fast pace of the modern game and struggles to defend around the perimeter. Off the bench, he could play around 10 minutes per game.

The Mavericks will likely play a small-ball lineup centered around Porzingis or Powell at the five. But with Porzingis coming off an ACL tear and season in which he didn’t play they’ll have to watch his playing time as his conditioning is not what it was. Powell and Kleber have both only played around 21 minutes per game, meaning a major uptick in minutes this season could result in decreased inefficiency.

While easing Porzingis back from injury and Powell and Kleber into bigger roles, the Mavericks could use another starting center. One option is Steven Adams.

Adams is the perfect team-first player. He sacrificed a lot while playing next to Russell Westbrook, but could be in a better position to succeed in Dallas.

Adams averaged 13.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, which would be more boards than anyone currently on the Mavericks roster. He is also extremely durable. In the past four seasons, Adams has played in 316 out of 328 regular-season games.

Dwight Howard is another option. Howard only played nine games due to surgery last season but has been a walking double-double throughout his entire career.

In 2017-18, Howard played in 81 games with the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. One reason Howard makes sense is that he would accept a reduced role and he says his ego is dead.

Although they have limited effectiveness in the playoffs, traditional centers still have a big role in the NBA. The Mavericks won’t want to offer major draft compensation for Adams or Howard, but the deal for either player would be a nice fit next to Porzingis while Dallas competes for a playoff spot.

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