Mavs Being Cautious With Josh McRoberts’ Injuries

With Josh McRoberts now in Dallas, the timetable for his debut is uncertain because of his injury history.

On July 7th, the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat completed a trade where Miami sent Josh McRoberts, a future second rounder, and $5.1 million in cash to Dallas for A.J. Hammons. It was a clear salary cap dumping move by the Heat and a move by Dallas where they gained money and a trade chip.

But will McRoberts be just a trade chip with his expiring contract worth around $6 million?

Four years ago McRoberts appeared in 78 games and was playing 30 minutes a night in Charlotte where he looked like a quality role player moving forward for a franchise. He then turned around and signed a four year contract with the Heat where he would appear in just 81 games over the next three seasons.

Now he comes to Dallas where his role this season is uncertain.

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“He is doing well and his health situation is progressing,” Rick Carlisle said after the preseason win over Chicago. “He went through a lot last year. He had three broken bones in his foot. He’s got a toe thing that has been a problem in his career. We are being cautious with him.”

Carlisle even went further into the cautious approach with McRoberts by comparing it to the addition of Peja Stojakovic in 2011.

“Same thing happen with Stojakovic in 2011. We got him in here, basically put him in a two and a half week training camp to get him over a little knee issue and he was a big contributor on a championship team,” Carlisle said.

Now, I don’t know about McRoberts being a contributor to a championship team like Peja, but he could be a quality veteran presence off the bench when he is healthy.

When I asked Harrison Barnes about the addition of another Duke player on the team in McRoberts, he laughed, but then added that he thinks Josh will be a good addition to the team and a good veteran presence for the young bigs on the roster.

As far as when we should expect McRoberts on the court, Carlisle responded with, “I don’t know.”

Next: Meshing Will Take Time in Dallas

We might not know the role or timetable for Josh McRoberts in Dallas, but he seems part of the plan this season and Dallas isn’t going to rush anything.