Dallas Mavericks: 3 Possible Free Agent Acquisitions

Jordan Clarkson, PG/SG, Utah Jazz

Key Stats:
24.7 Minutes Per Game
15.2 Points Per Game
2.6 Rebounds Per Game
1.9 Assists Per Game
46.2% Field Goal Percentage
36.2% 3-pt Field Goal Percentage

This probably wasn’t the first player you expected to see on this list but at least give me the CHANCE to explain why this combination could work.

Jordan Clarkson’s ascent to being a productive role player for a playoff team has slow and steady. After spending four years in college (first three years at Tulsa, the last at Missouri), he joined the Los Angeles Lakers by the way of cash considerations after the Washington Wizards selected him 46th overall in the 2014 NBA draft.

After spending his first season between the Lakers and their G-League affiliates, Clarkson eventually found himself an important role with the team for the following three seasons before being sent to Cleveland and then finally Utah.

Clarkson has solidified himself as a solid scoring guard that generally comes off the bench in order to provide some offense. In the 2019-2020 season, he played in 72 games with Cleveland and Utah starting a total of two games. For both teams, he averaged 15.2 points per game on benches that were 24th (33.5) and 23rd (33.6) respectively in the league for bench points per game.

Clarkson himself provided each team with half of their bench points and was a big reason why Utah was able to move up the standings before the season suspended play in March. He provided the team a surge of points they previously didn’t have outside of the combination of Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, and maybe Mike Conley on a good day.

Now to the Mavs. This team badly needed some scoring off the bench in the playoffs. Trey Burke was very good in his short run with the team, but it was pretty clear the team missed Jalen Brunson. It is important to differentiate that Brunson and Clarkson have different skillsets as players, but the value both players provide is relatively similar as they can help boost offensive production when they’re on the floor.

Clarkson averaged 36 percent on six threes per game; Utah was tenth in the league in three-point attempts. Dallas was second in three-point attempts this season. Thus far in his career, Clarkson has shown that when he gets more volume, his efficiency doesn’t drop. While he might not start in Dallas, he could garner more playing time under one big condition…

Tim Hardaway Jr must opt-out of his player option

It is unsure where Hardaway’s intentions lie, but it doesn’t seem unreasonable to assume that he likely reached his ceiling last season under coach Rick Carlisle. Hardaway had career highs in nearly every category; under most circumstances, that would likely result in a bump in salary.

With this reality and the number of rumors linked to the Mavericks signing or trading for certain players, Hardaway is starting to feel increasingly replaceable. He shouldn’t be, but it definitely feels like it. (I say that as his dad has been a big proponent of him staying in the DFW area)

Enter Jordan Clarkson. Take what Tim Hardaway Jr did for the team and give that exact role to Clarkson. Throw in the fact that Clarkson would be coming off the bench AND will be several million dollars cheaper than Hardaway Jr and that could not be a more ideal situation for the team.

Of course, this whole situation depends on a player who has yet to accept his option.

*sigh*