Pros and Cons of Signing Monta Ellis

Former Maverick Monta Ellis was released by the Indiana Pacers and is now a free agent. Should the Mavs now pursue a reunion with their former star shooting guard?

Four seasons ago, the Dallas Mavericks brought aboard Monta Ellis after an up and down career with the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks. The talented shooting guard exploded into a star with the Mavericks after two terrific seasons as the team’s primary scoring option alongside Dirk Nowitzki. Ellis was a seamless fit into the Mavs’ offense and bewildered opposing defenses with his diverse offensive skill set. Alongside Jose Calderon, Vince Carter, and Devin Harris, Ellis was a tremendous offensive player for the Mavericks in his first year with the team.

A year later, many changes were made to the team’s roster, but Ellis still thrived. Tyson Chandler, Chandler Parsons, and Rajon Rondo all arrived in what appeared to be a death sentence to Ellis’s ball dominant offensive game. Ellis had some shooting slumps throughout the second half of the season, however Ellis was just as valuable to the success of the team.

Now, after playing through two seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Ellis has been released by his fourth NBA team. The talented offensive playmaker will latch on with a team before too long, likely a contending power looking to give its offense a shot in the arm. Ellis’s offensive penetration, mid-range shooting and reliable free throw shooting make him a coveted target for most anyone in the NBA.

Should the Mavs look to sign the 31 year old guard? Will a reunion with Rick Carlisle and Mark Cuban rekindle Ellis’s offensive firepower? Just how much left does the former Maverick have in the tank? Below is a list of pros and cons from myself and Kohl Rast on how Monta might fit into the Mavs this time around.

Next: Cons