The Dallas Mavericks decided to make sweeping changes this offseason, officially starting a new era for the franchise. They’ve made trades, coaching changes and overall leadership changes. Throughout it all, the Mavs have signaled that they want to form a new identity around positional versatility.
After firing Nico Harrison at the start of last season, Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi were named co-interim general managers. But they have now ceded duties to the new team president, Masai Ujiri. Joining him as the new GM is Mike Schmitz, former assistant GM for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Now, after a convoluted 6-team trade, the Mavs acquired Santi Aldama and Euro project Tarik Biberovic. NBA.com’s Eddie Sefko believes that Ujiri, Schmitz and Dusty May are trying to usher in their new "versatile" era.
"“They have vowed to get bigger and more versatile and the trade to acquire Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberovic is a strong step in that direction.”"Eddie Sefko
Versatility drives Dallas’ defensive overhaul under Masai Ujiri and Dusty May
After Ujiri and Schmitz replaced Jason Kidd with May, the Mavs drafted one of May’s former players, Morez Johnson Jr., in the first round along with Sergio De Larrea from Spain.
De Larrea is already at home with his fellow Spanish teammate, Aldama. The former Memphis big man has unfortunately been known for recent injuries. He’s averaged 41.1 games played per regular season and had last year cut short due to knee surgery. However, his points and rebounds per game have increased every year he’s been in the league. Last season, Aldama averaged 14 points and 6.7 rebounds, playing almost 28 minutes a night over 43 games.
Biberovic is a much more interesting get. He’s already 25 but has spent eight seasons in the Euroleague, becoming a lights-out shooter for Fenerbahce in Turkey. Keith Smith, an NBA front office expert, said international scouts called him “the most plug-and-play Euro I’ve seen for the NBA in years.”
The feature both players share is excellent size for their positions. Aldama is a 7-footer who’s viewed more as a stretch forward than a center. Biberovic, on the other hand, is a 6-foot-6 guard. Both should have the positional versatility that the Mavs have been reshaping their roster around.
On top of this, the ninth overall pick, Johnson Jr., stands 6’9” and 250 lbs at the forward position. Sergio de Larrea stands 6’7” and 202 lbs, a guard who can play forward if necessary. This size and athleticism are exactly what May supplied his roster with at Michigan, which helped him win a championship.
It’s refreshing to see the Mavs making calculated decisions with a clear goal in mind. Defensive versatility has taken over the NBA, with some of the best teams like the Spurs and Thunder having multiple players who can guard 1 through 5. Ujiri and Schmitz should be commended for taking chances on players that could complement their franchise centerpiece, Cooper Flagg, quite well.
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