Roundtable: Dallas Mavericks GM For a Day

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Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Brice Johnson (11) shoots the ball ahead of Villanova Wildcats forward Darryl Reynolds (45) during the first half in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men /

Draft: With Dallas only possessing a second round pick, the draft has it’s limitations. If I’m Dallas, I’m calling Philly, Boston, and Phoenix right now asking what it would take to trade for their third pick in the first round. That would be either the 23rd, 26th, or 28th pick in the draft. If I could trade Devin Harris, our second, and future second for one of those picks I would. I would then target a big like Thon Maker, Cheick Diallo, or Damian Jones.

If I stay at 46, I would try to target Caris LeVert or Brice Johnson. Main goal would get someone who could make the roster.

Roster: I would gauge the market for Devin Harris. The veteran is loved in Dallas, but bringing back him, Barea, Felton and Deron Williams is not something I want to do. I would dangle Harris and focus on bringing back Felton. If I can’t trade Harris, Felton is gone. It is Felton or Harris for me. With the lack of free agent market for point guards and Deron Williams chemistry with the team last year, I would bring him back as the starting point guard on a reasonable deal.

Not to rustle any feathers, but If I’m handing out $20 million to a wing, I would prefer Harrison Barnes over Chandler Parsons. There is much behind this, but Barnes’ defense, lack of injury history, and age puts him over Parsons in my book. If we could lock Barnes in, then I would let Parsons walk in free agency. Every bone in my body expects Dirk to sign a 2-3 year deal with an option for around 6-8 million a year as long as Dallas gets the free agents to compete.

At center, I go free agent shopping. I would chase the free agents in this order; Al Horford, Pau Gasol, Hassan Whiteside, Dwight Howard and Bismack Biyombo. Landing a Horford or Whiteside would be a dream. Howard and Biyombo would be good. But I want Pau Gasol at his price tag.

Free Agency: Besides Barnes and Gasol, there is some role players I will be chasing to solidify the bench unit. I am making calls to both Courtney Lee and Jared Dudley. With Signing Gasol to a smaller deal than what it would take for a top center, we have money left to spend. Dwight Powell will get more money than I am willing to pay him so bringing in Jared Dudley would be a solid backup four who can hit the three. I’ve always been a fan of Lee and bringing Lee off the bench would give the Mavs a scoring option they lacked last year.

Jan 31, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Raymond Felton (2) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) come off the court after the game against the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 91-78. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Yes, I would do the Dallas thing and let our veterans walk. I would watch Felton, Pachulia, Villanueva, and Dwight Powell find new homes. Dallas wasn’t close to being a contender last year so why not shake things up, remain competitive, and get a younger piece in Barnes?

Assuming my Harris trade doesn’t work, here is my roster:

PG- Williams/Barea/Harris

SG- Matthews/Lee

SF- Barnes/Anderson/Second Rounder

PF- Nowitzki/Dudley/Evans

C- Gasol/Mejri/McGee

Next: Could McLemore Fulfill His Potential in Dallas?

A lot of things could happen in the coming weeks both good and bad for Dallas. We all have our different opinions and want different players for different reasons. In the end, however, one thing is certain: something needs to change.

Isaac Harris