Monta Ellis With Mavericks Is A Perfect Fit

Dallas Mavericks make a deal with free agent swing guard Monta Ellis. Ellis recently fired his agent earlier this week due to a lack of high offers and hired Don Fegan. Marc Stein of ESPN is reporting that he has now agreed in principle on a three year deal worth a minimum $25 million, but as high as $30 million.

Rick Carlisle hinted in his comments following yesterday’s summer league practice to a move with a name we would all know. Monta Ellis is a name that all Mavericks fans know. It was 2007 when the 8th seed Golden State Warriors shocked the NBA world by defeating the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks in the first round, the best Mavs team in regualr season history with 67 wins. That season in his second year  in the league he averaged 16.5 points per game, but only 8 in the playoffs. That season Monta Ellis won Most Improved Player award.

Ellis know has become a shoot first 6’3 point guard that scores more points the more minutes he plays. In the 2009-10 season he averaged a career high 25.5 points per game and averaged 41.4 minutes a night. He averaged 40.3 minuted per game the next year with 24.1 points per game. As his minutes went down and more scorers were added to the roster of both the Warriors and Milaukee Bucks, so did his average, but not by much

For the Mavericks, they get a the benefit of a needed scorer looking to finally get noticed. Just when Ellis was making a name in Oakland, he was sent  into the NBA abyss known as Milwaukee. There he shared ball last season with J.J. Reddick and Brandon Jennings in a three-guard backcourt that was swept by the Miami Heat in round one. Sharing the ball, he managed  19.2 points per game,  his best season as a Buck.

Playing now with Dirk Nowizki gives him the ability to work an inside-out game with a feared scorer like himself. The Mavs need a player like Ellis that will take over the star power of Dirk. Free agents for the last two years have not wanted to hitch their wagon the 35-year old. Monta could be the young gun free agents are willing to play with for a longer term. He needs an All-Star caliber season and Dallas is just the fanbase needed for him to get there.

The crowded backcourt with the additions of Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin, Devin Harris, Wayne Ellington and Gal Meckel is not crowded anymore. Shane Larkin has a broken ankle and Devin Harris is not returning to the team as prematurely reported. The Mavs need Monta Ellis now.

Follow Rodney Fisher on twitter @RodneyRFisher