The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

5 Areas the Dallas Mavericks need to improve in this offseason

By Sean Bush

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors reach for the rebound during the game on December 28, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors reach for the rebound during the game on December 28, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 26: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Smoothie King Center on March 26, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 26: Julius Randle #30 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against the Atlanta Hawks at the Smoothie King Center on March 26, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Rebounding

The Dallas Mavericks took a big step forward last season going from one of the league’s worst rebounding teams for years to an average in that category. Dallas finished the season 16th in the league in rebounds per game. While rebounding is certainly a team effort, a lot of that success can be attributed to the early season rebounding success of DeAndre Jordan.

Dallas averaged 46.0 RPG in the 50 games that Jordan appeared in before being included in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. That number would’ve placed the Mavericks a very respectable 13th in rebounding. Without Jordan, the Mavericks averaged just 44.3 RPG in 32 games. That number would’ve finished 23rd in the league.

Rebounding is seen as one of the weaknesses in Porzingis’ game. Powell came on great as a rebounder late last season but it would be risky to bet on him maintaining those averages. Kleber is decent but not great.

Securing a big man who can help on the glass via free agency or trade should be a priority for Dallas.

Expensive Free Agency Options: Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris

Mid-Tier Free Agency Options: Julius Randle, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, Nikola Mirotic, Jonas Valanciunas, Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, Willie Cauley-Stein, Bobby Portis

Cheap Free Agency Options: Dewayne Dedmon, Ed Davis, Robin Lopez, Anthony Tolliver, Taj Gibson

Next: Perimeter Shooting