Dallas Mavericks Should Keep a Close Eye on Shelvin Mack

If the Dallas Mavericks miss out on opportunities to improve at point through the draft, they could keep an eye on Shelvin Mack.

The Dallas Mavericks have significant room for improvement at the point guard position this summer. With Yogi Ferrell, J.J. Barea, and Devin Harris currently on the roster, Dallas should consider almost every available outlet available to them in an attempt to establish help at the position.

Although various rumors are swirling about the team’s interest in Jrue Holiday, the Mavs should keep a close eye on unrestricted free agent point guard Shelvin Mack.

The Mavs have long been enamored with players who have come through the Utah Jazz organization. In recent years, Deron Williams, Wesley Matthews, Jeremy Evans, and Devin Harris have played roles (some important) for the Mavericks but haven’t been able to move the team past the first round of the playoffs. Dallas’ point guard situation desperately needs a new body, and Mack should firmly be on the Mavs’ radar.

Shelvin Mack has made a decent career for himself after a strong showing at Butler University. Teammates with Gordon Hayward in college, Mack has become one of the better backup guards in the league.

While Mack is not the ideal option for the Mavs as the new starter, Dallas still needs to monitor his situation closely. The first reason being, is that Dallas is still highly unlikely to add a top free agent target this summer like Jrue Holiday.

Second, Dallas may have to look either Jeff Teague’s or George Hill’s way. If this scenario arises, then the Mavs will be in position to beef up their bench. With a starting lineup intact in the event that another point guard is added, Mack can still be looked at as a possible sixth man.

While Yogi Ferrell is a strong option for the backup job, Mack is simply better prepared and Ferrell will provide helpful depth behind both point guard spots ahead of him.

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In the worst-case-scenario, Dallas should look to sign Mack if they cannot lock down a deal with anybody else. If the Mavs strike out on Holiday and their other main free agent targets, Mack can come in and serve several roles for the team.

Mack is a capable offensive point guard. While his eight points and three assists per game are not exciting, his offensive assertiveness is an important reason why he has lasted this long in the NBA.

The biggest reason however for this signing, is Wesley Matthews. Matthews, while a capable three-point shooter, has been marginal at best offensively. An outstanding defender, Matthews fits the bill as the ultimate “three and D” player, but with Harrison Barnes, Nerlens Noel and a soon-to-be-39-year-old Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs simply have to improve offensively.

If Dallas strikes out in free agency again, they have to look to young, ascending players who can become trade chips in the future. Mack fits this bill perfectly.

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The Mavs have finally improved their defense after years of porous play on that end of the floor, but now they have to turn back around and look to get their offense back on track. The Mavs also should be able to get Mack for under ten million dollars a year, making Mack a player they should have on their free agent shortlist.