Losing out on Doug McDermott will hurt Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks were given some great news from the DeAndre Jordan agreement last night/this morning, but the night started with some bad news. The loss of Doug McDermott might sting this year.

If you asked a Dallas Mavericks fan who they were most excited about in the upcoming season before free agency started, you likely would’ve heard the name Doug McDermott at some point. After shooting an incredible 49.4% from the three-point line in his short stint with the Mavs, everyone was excited to see him get even more open looks in the upcoming season.

As cap space became an issue for a Dallas team hoping to add former Clippers big man, DeAndre Jordan, the Mavs decided to decline McDermott’s player option to take away the nearly $10 million cap hold. This would allow McDermott to become an unrestricted free agent and would not give Dallas an opportunity to match any proposed offer sheet.

Well, long story short, McDermott has chosen to sign with the Indiana Pacers on a three-year, $22 million deal. This contract came quickly after free agency started and so it is assumed that the Mavs made it clear that they would not have the money available to bring the sharpshooter back for another stint with the Mavs.

This decision-making is, I believe, questionable. Dallas is going to need shooters around Dennis Smith Jr. and Harrison Barnes. Doug McDermott is not just a shooter, he is a sniper that can make teams pay in an instant. Now he can’t get the open looks that DSJ and Luka Doncic were undoubtedly going to offer him, and Dallas loses out on a drive and kick option.

McDermott was also more than just a long-ball shooter. He was an intelligent basketball player with a high IQ and a coachability that isn’t always easy to find. Having his dad coach him throughout his life and even through college was a big part of his life and it reflects every time he hits the court.

Although we will not miss his defense very much, McDermott was a special player that will be difficult to replace this upcoming season. Let’s look back at some of his best highlights during his limited time in Dallas.

We wish McDermott nothing but the best during the remainder of his career and hope that our paths will cross again some day. His time in Dallas was short but it will not soon be forgotten. Once a Mav, always a Mav.