The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

Dallas Mavericks: Predicting who makes the regular season roster

By Sean Bush

DALLAS - APRIL 21: Fans of the Dallas Mavericks show their team Spirit during the game against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center on April 21, 2003 in Dalls, Texas. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 102-86. 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 2003 NBAE (Photo by: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS - APRIL 21: Fans of the Dallas Mavericks show their team Spirit during the game against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center on April 21, 2003 in Dalls, Texas. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 102-86. 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 2003 NBAE (Photo by: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 30: The Dallas Mavericks huddle before the game against the Utah Jazz on October 30, 2017 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 30: The Dallas Mavericks huddle before the game against the Utah Jazz on October 30, 2017 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Final Predictions and Roster Breakdown

15 Man Roster:

  • Guards (5): Dennis Smith Jr., Luka Dončić, JJ Barea, Jalen Brunson, Devin Harris
  • Wings (5): Harrison Barnes, Wesley Matthews, Dorian Finney-Smith, Ryan Broekhoff, Ding Yanyuhang
  • Bigs (5): Dirk Nowitzki, DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber, Ray Spalding
  • Two-Ways (2): Kostas Antetokounmpo, Daryl Macon

The big upset here, of course, is Ding Yanyuhang beating out Salah Mejri. The rationale for this prediction is entirely based on positional depth. Mejri might be the better player, but he plays what is now a loaded position with the arrival of DeAndre Jordan.

Jordan, Nowitzki, and Powell are all locks to get some rotation minutes at center. Mejri’s inability to play any power forward minutes could be the nail in the coffin for his hopes of returning next season.

Yanyuhang is younger, more versatile, and likely brings fewer antics and baggage along on the court with him than “The Mej”.

Mejri’s past relationship with Dončić will undoubtedly help him out this summer. It might even be the reason he holds onto a job.

Next. 5 reasons why Luka Doncic will win Rookie of the Year

Nowitzki, Barea, Broekhoff, Kleber, and now Yanyuhang’s experience overseas will be enough to aid Luka through his transition to the NBA life, even if they did not literally play together as Luka and Mejri did.

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