Who Will be the Mavericks’ Point Guard Next Season?

The Dallas Mavericks have some glaring needs this offseason, and one of the biggest question marks thus far has been what the team has in store for the point guard position. Rajon Rondo is gone and J.J. Barea is an unrestricted free agent as well.

The pool of free agents doesn’t look particularly promising. Goran Dragic appears to desire a longterm contract in Miami, and the Heat gave up two first round picks for him at the deadline so logic would tell us he’s in their long term plans, too.

Brandon Knight and Reggie Jackson are free agents of the restricted variety playing for teams that also gave up valuable assets to acquire them. Patrick Beverley, also restricted but probably the most likely to change teams, plays for a division rival that started 37-year old Jason Terry when Beverley went down with a torn ligament in his wrist. If the Rockets can’t upgrade they’d likely match any offer sheet Beverley signs with another team.

It’ll be tough for the Mavericks to work a trade for a starting caliber point guard. Dallas doesn’t have many tradable pieces unless they want to shake up their core in a pretty big way. Drafting a point guard would make sense, and the Mavericks have shown a lot of interest in Duke’s Tyus Jones.

It’s early in the process here, but it’s a valid question. Who starts at point guard for the Mavericks on opening night?

Our staff weighs in below.

Feb 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard

Monta Ellis

(11) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) go for a loose ball during the game at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

It’s early, but who is your prediction for starting point guard on opening night?

Aaron Clements: Devin Harris? Tyus Jones? Joey Gallo? Who knows? As long as it isn’t Rajon Rondo, it’s fine with me. I’ll go out on a limb and say Tyus Jones gets the nod on opening night.

Daniel Devine: Optimistic me says George Hill, but answering on the current plane of reality I’m sticking with my gut and going Tyus Jones.

Jason Lee: Why not Monta Ellis? Playing him in an A.I. role should be fun to watch right? His defensive deficiencies are a major talking point and a concern, but pulling off a quality defensive team might not be as hard as you think, so long as Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban and Chandler Parsons are able to recruit somebody like Khris Middleton to get this team legit and ready next season.

Charles Hughes: Have I mentioned I want to see them try Monta at the 1? I think if he is on the Mavericks next year, he will be the de facto point guard with the ball in his hands more than anyone else, whether there is a nominal point guard like Beverley beside him or a traditional shooting guard.

Kieran Harrell: Prediction for Starting Point Guard? If it’s not broke don’t fix it. Bring back the wonder-kid (and Rami’s favorite Mav), J.J. and start him.

Rami Michail: Patrick Beverly? Cory Joseph? Ty Lawson? George Hill? Monta? There are plenty of possibilities and it’s tough to decide at this moment.

But if I’m forced to pick: I think the Mavs will focus on filling a heavily depleted roster and find a cheap but good option. So Cory Joseph it is.

Jay Knodell: I’d love to see the Mavericks land Cory Joseph. He’s got good size, has made improvements with his outside shot, and has been soaking up a winning culture in his four professional seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. He’ll also come at a much cheaper price than most other guys the Mavericks will be targeting.

But if they can land a 3-D guard, I’d be open to letting Monta serve as the de facto point guard. I don’t think it happens though, so I’m going with Joesph.

Next: Kicking Off the Mavericks Offseason

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