Ranking all the Dallas Mavericks summer moves so far

Kohl Rast

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Dallas Mavericks Center Salah Mejri (50) reacts to a call during an NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers on February 5, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Dallas Mavericks have made a number of moves to put together a team that has a chance to compete this season. How do these moves rank from least impactful to most?

There have been a lot of good moves from the Dallas Mavericks so far this summer but there have also been a handful of questionable moves. Does the good outweigh the bad? And how many of these guys still need some time to prove what they are all about?

Here is my list, broken down into a few sub-topics. Each sub-topic is numbered in order of worst to best or least impactful to most.

The Bad

1. Salah Mejri

The worst move of the entire summer so far has not come in the form of someone finding a better contract with another team or anything like that. No, it was unfortunately bringing back one of the most polarizing players the Dallas Mavericks franchise has ever had.

Listen, Salah Mejri is not necessarily a bad basketball player. In fact, he can be pretty good sometimes. But that occasional good play doesn’t outweigh the sheer number of boneheaded plays that he makes on a regular occurrence. This summer was supposed to be about a whole new look at the center position and it didn’t go that way.

2. Losing Seth Curry

The next worst move for Dallas was letting Seth Curry walk for a pretty minor contract. Dallas had the chance to retain the sharpshooter coming off an injury, but they didn’t. Even though he missed all of last season with a stress reaction in his leg, it stinks that we will have to see what he is really made of for another team.

There are other factors that can play into this, but the fact is most people were excited to see what Curry could do in another year of Carlisle’s system. We will never get that opportunity now, so this remains on the low end for Mavs moves of the summer.

3. Losing Doug McDermott

Although McDermott had a great short season with the Mavs, I think Curry’s showing in the previous year was a big showing of what he is actually capable of. I am a fan of McDermott and think he will have a great NBA career, so it is sad to see him leaving for another team either way.

The other important thing to think about with this one is that Doug is making over $7 million a year from the Pacers. The Mavs really had no way to match that, so losing him doesn’t sting quite as bad as it could have. This is why the loss of Curry hurts a little bit more than the loss of McDermott.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 6: Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Wait and See

1. Kostas Antetokounmpo

The last pick of the 2018 NBA Draft was the ultimate flyer pick (and not just because he came from the Dayton Flyers). Kostas Antetokounmpo, brother of the Greek Freak, Giannis, and nicknamed the Assassin from Athens (by me), may not have shown he is NBA ready, but he sure has the build and athletic ability to turn into a steal of a pick.

2. Losing Nerlens Noel

No one can really be sure how this is going to turn out for Dallas since Nerlens Noel never really made it on the court enough to see what he can do. I wish the situation was handled a little bit better, but if he didn’t make the cut for Carlisle as a player, then I get letting him go. Still, if he succeeds, this one could look bad for Dallas.

3. Johnathan Motley

I am nowhere near as high on Johnathan Motley as a lot of people are, but I can see that he is ready to get his chance. Hopefully he gains a big portion of the backup minutes at the center position as opposed to having to turn to the Tunisian Tower. No matter what the case, Motley deserves a chance to prove himself before anyone goes too high or too low on him.

4. Ray Spalding

I was close to putting Spalding in the good section for this one, but that is because I have really taken a liking to the big man from Louisville. Spalding has shown that he has put in the work in preparation for his upcoming NBA chances and I think that he is going to capitalize on them. Look out for Spalding down the road as a potential draft steal.

5. Jalen Brunson

Brunson is already looking like a lock on the Mavs regular season roster, even though his summer league has not been as exciting as many anticipated. Still, with his expertise and leadership, he will be a great addition to the Mavs team. I am keeping him in the wait and see section for now, but I see a bright future for the former NCAA Player of the Year.

LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 23: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks boxes out against DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Los Angeles Clippers on December 23, 2016 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Good

1. Releasing Kyle Collinsworth

This one pains me a little bit, but the backcourt is too crowded right now and Dallas had to get rid of some guys. Unfortunately, Collinsworth is on the bottom of that list, but I am still hopeful that he will land in a place that can really see just how good he is. Give him time, but he could still be a great bench piece.

2. Ryan Broekhoff

One of the most underrated signings of the summer from any team, Dallas added a sharpshooter with a great reputation from Australia. He will step right in as a long ball threat in the Mavs second unit, something the team was likely worried about. Well, worry no longer.

3. Yogi Ferrell

You have to give Yogi credit for finding a team that fits his playstyle so well that he contributes instantly when on the court. Bringing Ferrell back was a great decision for Dallas, despite the backcourt depth. Don’t expect the same amount of minutes we got from Yogi last year, but he will still be a part of the offensive rotation.

4. DeAndre Jordan

The big fish free agent wasn’t quite as big as he would’ve been a few years ago, but Mavs fans are ready to forgive and forget in exchange for a big year from possibly the best rim-runner in the NBA. This signing was awesome for Dallas and the lobs will be coming in frequently this year.

5. Dirk Nowitzki

Not to be outdone, it is important to note that the greatest man to ever wear a Dallas Mavericks jersey will be back for at least one more year. Dirk Nowitzki will be completing his 21st season with the Dallas Mavericks this year and his loyalty as well as willingness to get the team where it needs to go is really amazing.

6. Luka Doncic

The only thing that could top Dirk coming back for another year is a transcendent talent who is excited to join the team going forward. Luka Doncic is everything we could have hoped for in the NBA Draft and Dallas is going to get a taste of the future early on this year. Get excited, everyone.

Next: Dallas Mavericks offseason is like Christmas in July

These are just my personal rankings, but I do believe they reflect the rankings of most Mavs fans pretty well. This season will make a lot of these very clear in no time.