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Dallas Mavericks free agency grade: Ding Yanyuhang signing

By Tyler Watts

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Ding Yanyuhang #8 of the Dallas Mavericks saves the ball from going out of bounds during a 2017 Summer League game against the Boston Celtics at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dallas won 91-74. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Ding Yanyuhang #8 of the Dallas Mavericks saves the ball from going out of bounds during a 2017 Summer League game against the Boston Celtics at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dallas won 91-74. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks signed Chinese wing Ding Yanyuhang to a contract on July 23, and we evaluate that transaction.

The Dallas Mavericks made a surprise signing on July 23.  Ding Yanyuhang signed with the Mavs on Monday evening.  He played for Dallas in summer league 2017 and was a fan favorite on the squad.

Yanyuhang is a 24-year-old wing who has seven years of professional basketball experience in China.  He averaged 26.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 3.0 3-pointers made, and 2.4 turnovers per game in 37.6 minutes a night last season for Shandong.

Yanyuhang signing grade: I

The only fair grade is incomplete as of this writing because we have no idea what type of deal the Mavs inked him for next season.

If Yanyuhang is on a two-way deal or non-guaranteed contract (a training camp invite) then the signing grade is a B.  At 24, he likely still has room to improve and adds a needed wing to Dallas stable.

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If Yanyuhang signed to take the Mavericks final roster spot on a fully guaranteed deal for next season that is a mistake.  Plenty of veteran NBA talent is still available and could provide much more on a short-term deal than Yanyuhang.  The grade for that signing would be a D.

Time will tell where the marks end up, but it is likely a training camp invite deal for Ding Yanyuhang.  Remember, the Mavs play the Sixers in China twice this preseason, so inking a Chinese star boosts the team’s profile for those contests.

Final thoughts

The Dallas Mavericks signed 24 year old Ding Yanyuhang to a contract on July 23, but the details of the deal where non-existent.  Hopefully, the Mavs are just taking a training camp look at the player and have the ability to move unless he is impressing early on.

That leaves Dallas the opportunity to sign a veteran on a cheap short-term deal to round up their roster heading into this season.  Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Next: 6 available free agents the Mavs should target

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