Dallas Mavericks: Go Big or Go Young
It was reported this week that the Dallas Mavericks would make run at some of the top free-agent big men, and whether or not it may be true, the team still has options at #5.
One thing is for certain and that is the Dallas Mavericks want/need a big man. That idea could come either in the free agency or in the draft.
It was recently that All-Star DeMarcus Cousins was on the team’s radar, along with former All-Star DeAndre Jordan and young star Julius Randle.
If Dallas goes the draft route that list of names would look like this: Mohamed Bamba, Marvin Bagley the third, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The question for the Mavericks organization thus becomes does the team go towards the free agency market, the draft route or possibly both?
Free Agency
Names like “Boogie” Cousins and DeAndre Jordan, make NBA organizations go nuts over the possibilities.
This past season, Cousins averaged a double double with 25.2 points per game to go with 12.9 rebounds. The downfall was the terrible Achilles injury he suffered more than half way through the NBA year. Not to mention the current Pelicans big man is expecting a max contract.
Like Cousins, Jordan too averaged a double double this past season. He averaged 12 points a game along with 15.2 rebounds. The problem with going after Jordan would be, well Mavs fans can finish this.
Related Story: Why DeAndre Jordan is the worst
A younger, less expensive option then Cousins and Jordan would be Lakers forward Julius Randle. The twenty-three year old led his team in points last season and demonstrated he is more than just a 16.1 points per game player.
His youth fits perfectly with the Mavericks charisma, but his loyalty to the Lakers and asking price still remains up in the air.
If past history has demonstrated anything it is that the Dallas club has a tendency to strikeout in free agency. Maybe this year is different, but at what cost would it play ?
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Draft
The Dallas Mavericks currently own the number five in the draft and with that comes the possibilities of available players.
One player has been mentioned in the news is Longhorn star Mohamed Bamba. For Texas last season, Bamba recorded a double double for almost every game of the season last year.
One thing that was special was his ability to protect and dominant the court on both sides. Another specialty of his is the 7’10” wingspan he obtains. At twenty years old he has ability to continue growing as a basketball player.
Other draft names for the team have included Marvin Bagley the third and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Bagley proved to be one of the top stars in college basketball last season. In his first and final year with Duke he averaged 21 points per game to go with 11.1 rebounds.
Like Bamba and Bagley, Jackson Jr too declared for the draft after his freshman year. One thing that stands out for Jackson Jr. is his rim protection. On December 5th against Rutgers, the Spartans Center recorded his career high of eight blocks.
Jackson Jr has the ability to be an all around big man in the NBA but only time will tell if that idea holds true.
Next: The Mavericks can still find this superstar at No. 5
If the Mavericks want to win soon the answer then is simple: go after a big men in free agency. If the team hopes to build for the future then the draft is the better way to go.