The Battle For Minutes Between Seth Curry and Devin Harris

In what looks to be one of the bigger debates coming this season in Dallas, the battle between Seth Curry and Devin Harris for backup guard minutes should be fun.

In a shift in roster building, Dallas decided to go younger this offseason in filling out the roster. No more aging veterans such as Charlie Villanueva and Amar’e Stoudemire, but rather bringing in the likes of Quincy Acy, and fan favorite, Seth Curry.

Dallas, with the veteran core, decided to surround the core with younger players that have potential and room to grow. Younger players that could possibly help transition out of the Dirk era when Nowitzki decides to hang them up.

There might not be a name fans are more excited (and curious) about than Seth Curry.

Curry, a 25-year-old on two-year deal, comes into a crowded backcourt in Dallas where he will have to prove to the coaching staff that he is ready to take the next step in his career. Not only is the backcourt crowded, but it’s crowded with veterans that have a strong relationship with the Mavs.

The real question is if Seth Curry will be more than an insurance plan. We all know the injury history surrounding Williams, Barea, and Harris, but will Curry crack the rotation when everyone is healthy?

Deron Williams is the unquestioned starter as the veteran is back on a one-year deal for around $10 million. After Williams comes two veterans in J.J. Barea and Devin Harris. Then comes Curry.

Barea, with his crucial ability to create on the offensive end, is locked into the first guard off the bench at either the point or two guard spot. Last night, Barea took the place of Wesley Matthews in the starting lineup where he led the Mavs in scoring after the first quarter.

After Barea, the debate starts with Devin Harris and Seth Curry.

Harris comes in as a 33 year-old combo guard that has spent over half of his career with the Mavericks. Once viewed as strictly a point guard, Harris has transitioned over the past couple of years to a combo guard after spending some time at shooting guard in the second unit.

Harris, despite his injury history, has averaged over 20 minutes a game in Dallas in each of his last three years as a Maverick. Now the veteran comes in after a summer of rehab where he looks to keep the same role he has had over the past few seasons.

Curry comes in as a 25 year-old combo guard looking to find a home in the league and take the next step in his career. Spending last season in the ghost town of Sacramento, Curry appeared in just 44 games, but shot 45% from behind the arc.

Viewed at by many to be ‘oozing’ with potential, Curry added to the excitement by leading the Mavs through the first two preseason games with 16 ppg on 12-24 from the field and 7-9 from behind the arc.

Curry looks to still be improving on both his ball handling and his defense; two things that were commonly labeled as weaknesses of his game.

So when all of the guards are healthy, who should get the most minutes?

Last year, Raymond Felton averaged 27 minutes a game and finished the year logging the third most minutes on the team. But you could argue that Felton only logged that many minutes because Williams, Barea, Harris, and Parsons combined to miss 64 games.

Will Rick Carlisle stick with his trusted veteran in Harris or try to fulfill the potential of Seth Curry? Can the Mavericks afford the growing pains of Curry or do they stick with the trustworthy Harris? Will Harris’ presence on the defensive end outweigh Curry’s outside shot?

These are all questions the Mavs coaching staff will and are going through as they prepare for the regular season. The pressure isn’t as high at the moment, but if the Mavs start losing early with Harris logging the majority of those minutes, expect a plea from the fanbase for Curry.

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So who should get more minutes, the trusted veteran in Devin Harris or the young, sharpshooting Seth Curry?