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Dallas Mavericks: The starting center in 2019-20 will be this man

By Reid Hanson

DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 18: The Dallas Mavericks Dancers perform as the Dallas Mavericks take on the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Center on November 18, 2017 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. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 18: The Dallas Mavericks Dancers perform as the Dallas Mavericks take on the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Center on November 18, 2017 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. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks only signed their prized free agent grab, DeAndre Jordan, to a one-year deal, so who can we expect to man the middle NEXT season?

This offseason, the Dallas Mavericks finally pulled in their top target in free agency. After striking out with DeAndre Jordan a few painful summers ago, they got their man to sign on the dotted line this go-round.

While it was good news to see them succeed in free agency, the signing comes with an asterisks of sorts. Instead of signing a max deal, DeAndre and Dallas agreed to one-year deal. This would allow both DeAndre and the Dallas Mavericks a chance to see how he fit in their new ball-handler-heavy scheme. It makes sense that neither side wants to be trapped if DeAndre proves to be a square peg in a round hole.

So with DeAndre serving merely as a one-year Band-Aid to the 5-spot, who can we expect to man the middle NEXT year?

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Free Agent Options: There are a few attractive names hitting free agency next summer: Karl-Anthony Towns, DeMarcus Cousins, Al Horford, Marc Gasol, and of course our own – DeAndre Jordan.

Without a first round draft pick and no young option developing on the roster, the Dallas Mavericks will no doubt look to these men to find their solution at center next summer. While all of these are talented in their own rights, not all of them would be a great fit.

Predicting the fit today isn’t going to be easy since we have yet to see this new offense run. The additions of Jalen Brunson and Luka Doncic will make an impact on this club. We just don’t know exactly what that impact will look like until we see them running the court with DeAndre Jordan.

The verdict

For as unexciting as this sounds, the most likely man to play center for the 2019-20 season is DeAndre Jordan. At face value, he looks like an excellent fit on this team. He’ll be asked to protect the rim with a team that will otherwise be playing small. And he’ll be the primary beneficiary of the pick and roll (something we expect the Dallas Mavericks to lean heavily on).

Can Mavs fans forgive and forget DeAndre Jordan's transgressions?. dark. Next

With Clint Capela signed long-term in Houston, the most realistic target of the Mavs is off the board next summer. That leads me to believe they’ll work hard to win Jordan over and lock him up on a multi-year max deal.

  • Published on 08/06/2018 at 22:01 PM
  • Last updated at 08/06/2018 at 14:49 PM
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