Dallas Mavericks: Will the Crowded Backcourt Be an Issue?

The Dallas Mavericks have some very capable young guards coming to the team this year along with the many veteran guards from the previous roster. Is there going to be some overcrowding?

Last year, Dallas had a lot of guards that earned playing time during the season. Often times it led the Mavericks to using Wesley Matthews at the 3 with Raymond Felton and one of our point guards running the guard spots.

This year, we lost Ray-Ray, but gained a few other capable guards. Justin Anderson is another year older and getting better everyday and the veteran guards are healthier than last season. We should not have any shortage of available bodies at the 1 and 2 positions.

Here is a list of the available guards the Dallas Mavericks will have this season: Deron Williams, Wesley Matthews, J.J. Barea, Devin Harris, Justin Anderson, and Seth Curry. That list does not include other players fighting for a roster spot including Jonathan Gibson, Kyle Collinsworth, Keith Hornsby, and C.J. Williams.

Of course, not all of these guys will make the final roster. It is likely that only one of the four mentioned will get a spot, but that still leaves 7 guards fighting for 48 minutes a night. How will the Mavs approach it?

The Veterans

Dallas may have added a lot of new faces to the team this year, but they also brought back nearly all of the guards from last season. D-Will and Wes are slotted to start for the Mavs this season while Barea and Harris continue to man the second unit.

Justin Anderson was a weapon we utilized a lot towards the end of the season last year, but we can expect to see him increasing his minutes this season. Even though he may not be considered a veteran, he has done time with the Mavs already and is familiar with Coach Carlisle’s style of play.

All of these players have earned their playing time with the team. Unfortunately, at some point, all good players begin to taper off. Barea, Harris, and Williams are all on the wrong side of 30 and Matthews will be by the end of the year. These young guys will be on their tails soon.

New Guys

Seth Curry is another player the Mavericks chased and will undoubtedly be getting a fair share of time. With his shooting stroke and opportunity to grow, little Curry is on his way to a potential breakout year.

Jonathan Gibson showed what he is capable of when he averaged 42 points per game in the Chinese league last season. He also helped lead the Mavs Summer League team to multiple wins in Las Vegas. Gibson will be vying for a spot on the roster against a handful of other young players.

Kyle Collinsworth is probably next in line to get a chance at a roster spot. After a stellar collegiate career, Collinsworth struggled in the Summer League. He didn’t take it to heart too much though as he has been ready to show the coaches what he is capable of this last week.

C.J. Williams and Keith Hornsby are both on the outside looking in, but crazier things have happened.

Next: The Nicolas Brussino Addition is a Good Thing

The Dallas Mavericks have a few more short weeks before the regular season begins and, at this rate, they will need every single day. Keep an ear to the floor over the next few weeks to see who makes the cut and who doesn’t.