Dallas Mavericks Enter Offseason With Plenty Of Needs

Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks went 49-33 this past season and challenged the San Antonio Spurs in the first round before eventually getting eliminated in seven games.

With plenty of cap room and Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, Shawn Marion, and others hitting free agency, the Mavs may once again experience a drastic roster change.

• What do the Mavs do at Point Guard? 

Jose Calderon signed last season and gave Dallas exactly what they expected from him – three point shooting, ball security, and a floor general – issue is he also offered very little on the defensive side of the ball. Do they look to move him to the bench and get a more capable defender to start or do they stick with him? The team must also decide what to do with Devin Harris, who is a free agent.

Point Guard Options

• Time for change at Small Forward

Marion is 36 and hitting free agency. Whether or not the Mavs retain him, the team desperately needs a new starting small forward.  Luol Deng and Trevor Ariza highlight the small forward market (unless LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony opt out and strongly consider other suitors) and both should draw plenty of interest from the Mavs and other teams. Along with Marion, Carter’s contract has expired. The Mavs would love their 6th man back.

Small Forward Options

Deng or Ariza?

• Find a backup Power Forward for Dirk

We’ve seen the likes of Keith Van Horn, Brandon Bass, and Kris Humphries backing up Dirk seasons ago. Over the last few seasons we’ve seen Marion (THE STARTING SMALL FORWARD) taking over the backup minutes. It’s time for the Mavs to find a true power forward to backup the Big German.

Power Forward Options

• Center spot needs to be upgraded

Samuel Dalembert ended the season strong and was a positive in the playoffs, but his season was decent at best. With his inconsistent play, Brandan Wright unable to defend and rebound consistently, DeJuan Blair and Bernard James free agents, Dallas will look hard to either find a starting center, or at least find a dependable body. Tyson Chandler, Omer Asik, Larry Sanders and Marcin Gortat will constantly be linked to the Mavs.

Center Options 

• Find Shooting Guard Help

The starting spot is locked up by Monta Ellis, but Dallas can and should look to get him a capable body behind him to lessen his minutes. Harris and Carter were the primary backup guards to Ellis and both could be gone via free agency. Wayne Ellington and Ricky Ledo are the only other shooting guards on the roster and neither was really a part of the rotation (though Ellington had some small stretches). Dallas can shock everyone and make a run at Lance Stephenson and have Rick Carlisle sort it out, or they can look at the likes of Jodie Meeks and Nick Young to compete with Ellington for minutes.

Shooting Guard Options