3 ways the Dallas Mavericks solve their point guard woes

The Dallas Mavericks’ offseason can best be described as a roller coaster. It started off with the team trading for Chirstian Wood and signing JaVale McGee, and losing guard Jalen Brunson.

If you remember Brunson played a pivotal role in helping Dallas get over their first round series hump. During the Utah series he averaged 27.8 points to tag alone with 4.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds. While his numbers dipped a bit during the next two series, the young guard still proved to be an efficient number two scorer on the team.

With Brunson in New York, how can the Dallas Mavericks find a point guard to pair alongside Luka Doncic?

During an NBA summer league game Tuesday night, Owner Marc Cuban recently came out and spoke about the Mavs’ future without Brunson.

On paper Cuban’s statement may be true. Christian Wood averaged a point higher per game than Brunson. And yes even two years ago Hardaway’s scoring was equivalent to the amount Brunson had this season.

However there is one issue? Dallas can replace his scoring but not his assets as a guard overall. It was not just his scoring that made JB special but other intangibles such as his ability to create his own shot, drive to the basket and find opportunities for his teammates.

So what’s next?

If Dallas really wants to replace Brunson with another guard they will have plenty of options.

Options 1: Trade

Right now the biggest way Dallas can add another guard is through trade. Currently, the Mavs only have one open roster spot, so this might be their best option. If Dallas looks to trade, one team that should be on their radar is the Utah Jazz. The mountain west team has two players the team could pencil in on.

The first would be veteran Mike Conley. Last season, he averaged 13.7 points and 5.3 assists. While he may have lost a step or two, he is still a sappy veteran who can provide useful minutes. If you remember in game three against the Mavs, Conley put up 21 points on 42.9 shooting. Just two years ago he averaged 16.2 points and six assists.

Another Jazz guard Dallas should target is Patrick Beverly. While he is not a point savvy guard, he will do just enough to help a team get by. His defensive presence is also something that does not go unnoticed. This past season he finished just six spots from making the All NBA Defensive team. Plus his aggressiveness and passion is something that has been lacking in Dallas.

One final player I could see the Mavs trading for is Derrick Rose. Yes Rose is not the same player from 10 years ago, but he still has plenty of hop in his system. While he does not have to start, he could be a reliable player off the bench. His experience and ability to attack the rim is something that Dallas can benefit from. Imagine having Rose come off the bench throwing lobs to Dwight Powell? What a bench that would be.

Option 2: Sign through free agency

One player Dallas has been linked to this season is Collin Sexton. Like Brunson, Sexton too averaged 16 points. The difference though? Sexton is a quicker and more agile guard who can excerpt his skills at the rim.  Along with that he has been consistent in his career, meaning he has never had a season where he averaged less than 16 points.

He is one true guard that can replace the similar structure of Jalen Brunson. His speed paired with Doncic’s playmaking could be a force in the making.

One other player the team could look more into is Dennis Smith Jr. The former Mav recently held a mini open tryout for NBA teams to examine.

As a starter for Portland last season her averaged 15 points  and six assists, while knocking down 54 percent of his shots. If you remember some of his best seasons came during his tenure in Dallas. With the Mavericks he averaged 14 points and 4.7 assists. He was a fan favorite who showed signs of his flashiness and rim ability.

His relationship with Doncic is something that never went unnoticed during his time in Dallas. Could the team take a gamble on their former player?

Option 3: Development within the roster

One last option Dallas could do is replace Brunson with a shooting guard already on the team. One name brought up recently was Spencer Dinwiddie.

The Mavs’ six man bounced back nicely after being traded from Washington. During this time with Dallas he upped his points per game to 15, while shooting 49.8 percent. If Dallas decides to go this route they would have one of the tallest lineups in the league with no one being under 6’5.

If this lineup comes true then Doncic would be the only true ballhandler on the court.

Whatever the Dallas Mavericks they will have plenty of options to choose. One things is for certain, the additions of Wood and McGee should fix the team’s rebounding woes.