Dallas Mavericks Face Tough Decision On Final Roster Spot Amid Kyrie Irving Injury
The Dallas Mavericks find themselves in an intriguing position as they contemplate utilizing their final roster spot for the upcoming season. The team's decision-making process has become even more complex with Kyrie Irving's hand injury adding a new wrinkle to their plans.
Initially, it seemed that veteran forward Markieff Morris was a strong candidate to fill that last spot, given the mutual interest between him and the organization. They can easily cut someone like AJ Lawson to make room for Morris and an additional signing. But Irving's injury has potentially shifted the focus towards bolstering the point guard position.
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This change in priorities raises questions about potential sign-and-trade scenarios for players like Washington's Tyus Jones or Orlando's Markelle Fultz. Both guards are likely worth more than what Dallas can offer, but their market value may have diminished as teams with cap space have already made their moves. This could create an opportunity for the Mavericks to swoop in and acquire a quality point guard at a discount.
However, the backcourt situation in Dallas is not as dire as it might seem at first glance. Jaden Hardy is expected to take the next step in his development, and Dante Exum provides a solid backup option. This abundance of guard talent might steer the Mavericks away from adding another backcourt player, potentially bringing the focus back to Markieff Morris or exploring other frontcourt options like his twin brother Marcus.
It's worth noting that the point guard market still has some intriguing names available. Dennis Smith Jr., Spencer Dinwiddie, and Malachi Flynn are all still unsigned and have been recently linked with the Mavericks. They have many options if they decide to prioritize backcourt depth.
In our opinion, adding another primary ball-handler, whether through the open roster spot or via trade, should be a priority for the Mavericks. While they have several capable guards, having a true floor general to complement Luka Doncic and fill in during Irving's absence could be crucial for the team's success.
The Mavericks' front office might be playing a waiting game, hoping to see how far the price for quality point guards might drop. However, they need to be cautious not to miss out on valuable opportunities while waiting for the perfect deal.
