Do the Dallas Mavericks have too many ball handlers?

The Dallas Mavericks are loaded with distributors making us wonder if there are enough balls to go around. So do they have too many ball handlers?

The Dallas Mavericks, and particularly Rick Carlisle, value point guards immensely. That’s why is shouldn’t seem strange they have so many ball handers on the roster. Last year’s lottery pick, Dennis Smith Jr., was a stud his rookie season. He outplayed his draft slot and looks like a championship building block on a rebuilding roster.

Together with J.J. Barea, they form a fairly dynamic ball-handling pair for the Mavs. And while Barea doesn’t figure into the long-term rebuilding effort of the Mavs, he certainly serves a valuable purpose in the present.

But instead of standing pat at point, the Dallas Mavericks went back to the well and added another ball handler early in the draft. Luka Doncic may not be a true point guard but he’s definitely a ball handler. He has the kind vision and play making ability that requires the ball to be in his hands as often as possible.

Early in round two the Dallas Mavericks double-dipped in the ball handler department and picked Jalen Brunson. Brunson, a true point guard, comes pedigreed. He led Villanova to the Championship in 2016 and 2018. He also won Consensus National Player of the year last season.

Brunson is destined to be a starting PG in the NBA – not a bit player in a situational role. But with J.J. Barea, Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic all demanding the ball, what’s left for this promising young rookie?

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The situation appeared to only worsen when Devin Harris re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks a few days ago. Do the Mavs know something we don’t? What’s going to be the plan next season when everyone wants to play with the ball and no one can play off the ball?

The Dallas Mavericks are following the trend of position-less basketball. Getting the best players on the court takes precedent over putting forth the best players at their respective positions.

In today’s small-ball era, ball movement, speed, and spacing are king. With so many ball-handlers on the team, Dallas is sure to play a fast tempo offense.

Defensively they’ll have their weaknesses. That’s why adding DeAndre Jordan is so darn important. He’s going to be given a lot of responsibility in the paint and should play a key part on both ends of the court.

The Dallas Mavericks will also need to get their many ball handlers to learn to play without the ball better. Efficiency will be important and Rick Carlisle will likely look for idea matchups to divvy out roles and responsibilities night to night.

It’s going to fun to watch these players juggle their roles next season. Harris won’t have any issues playing the two without the ball in his hands but predicting the rest isn’t so easy.

The Dallas Mavericks value overall ability more than positions and Rick Carlisle will be earning his money as he balances and develops this young talent. The 2018-19 Dallas Mavericks are going to be completely different animal this season.

• Published on 08/01/2018 at 15:29 PM
• Last updated at 08/01/2018 at 15:35 PM