What the Mavericks Will Miss From Raymond Felton

The Dallas Mavericks parted ways with Raymond Felton this past offseason after some money shortages. What will the team miss the most with Felton’s absence?

Raymond Felton was one of the Dallas Mavericks best players in the 2015-16 season and showed the league what he is capable of. Mavs fans knew that it was going to be tough to bring him back, but are still sad to see him go.

This season, Felton finds himself on the Los Angeles Clippers playoff bound team. He will undoubtedly be a key tool off the bench for LA and could help the team in many ways.

When Ray-Ray was with Dallas, he brought a lot of needed elements to the team off the bench. One of those ways was through his leadership. Felton at 32, has spent a lot of years in the NBA.

When working with a younger second unit, Felton thrived as a scorer and an energizer for the team. He brought what others were unable or unprepared to bring to the Mavericks team. Something that is still going to be a concern this year.

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When it comes to Felton, the thing that really comes to mind is his level of intensity in every game. Whether it be driving through the lane without a second thought or picking a fight with one of the biggest guys in the league, Raymond was not going to back down from any challenge.

Mavs fans knew it just by the way Felton composed himself on the court. He walked, dribbled, and shot with a swagger that most NBA players don’t have the confidence to show. He was not afraid of anyone or anything.

This also was clear in another way that Dallas will be missing Felton this season. His ability to drive through the lane, fearless, is something that not many guards have these days. Sure J.J. Barea and Deron Williams are both very capable scorers in the lane, but they do not have that fearlessness that Ray-Ray seemed to have.

Of course, these are just a few of the reasons Dallas will miss having Raymond Felton on the court, but it is obvious that his presence will not be forgotten. Hopefully Seth Curry will be ready to step in and fill some of that role, but it is no guarantee.

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Whatever the case, Mavs fans will miss Felton this year. His level of play and energy he brought may be irreplaceable, but the team will find a way to make up for it. Coach Carlisle always does. We wish the best to Felton in his future in the league and with the Los Angeles Clippers.