Dallas Mavericks: Danny Green and the aftermath of a missed opportunity

The Dallas Mavericks missed out on Danny Green and other potential free agents. However, not all is lost.

Dallas Mavericks fans were once again met with free agency disappointment following ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowki’s early-morning tweet, which reported Kawhi Leonard and Paul George‘s move to the Los Angeles Clippers.

For as amazing of a trade Sam Presti maneuvered, the real topic of discussion is the Dallas Mavericks. While the rest of the NBA spent like it felt nostalgic for summer 2016, Donnie Nelson and Mark Cuban patiently waited for Danny Green and the Kawhi Leonard dominoes to fall.

Danny Green, a role player, influenced a franchise to stall its free agency efforts for his services. Despite the needle-moving potential in the three-and-d shooting guard, there were multiple players fit for Dallas’ roster. Cuban and company are known for putting all their eggs in one basket during the chaotic free agency period.

Numerous players were rumored to have Dallas in their vision leading up to the free-agent dance, but alas, Dallas was left without a dance partner following Green’s signing to the LA Lakers.

Despite the outcome not favoring on behalf of the Dallas Mavericks, Danny Green’s reasoning was understandable. Even if the Mavericks do make the playoffs in 2020, it won’t be as a contender. The Clippers and Lakers are essentially championship invitees, ultimately giving Green multiple reasons not to sign with Dallas.

However, not all is lost for Dallas and its hungry fan base.

In light of the Danny Green fallout, Donnie Nelson orchestrated a sign-and-trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for three years at $29M, for the 26-year-old guard, Delon Wright. Although it wasn’t a seismic wave by any measure, the Mavericks grabbed its starting point guard for a bargain of a deal at less than $10M annually. Dallas gracefully recovered from the Danny Green dilemma.

Another signing which didn’t move the needle for the league, however, does make a sound fit with stars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis was the 4-year deal worth $32 million for returning guard Seth Curry. After a few standout games in the playoffs as a Portland Trail Blazer, Dallas saw Curry as an ideal fit next to Doncic, mainly due to efficient shooting.

Curry’s season in 2016 with the Dallas Mavericks was deemed a successful outing, which ultimately made the deal a no-brainer decision.

The roster is theoretically set for next season. However, Dallas Mavericks head coach, Rick Carlisle, is not known for prematurely setting his starting lineup before training camp. As Dallas anticipates the return of all-star forward Kristaps Porzingis, Carlisle is in charge of possibly the most intriguing lineup of his 11-year career in Dallas, which includes an NBA championship roster.

Between the duo of Luka Doncic, a superstar in the making, and Kristaps Porzingis, the most balanced power forward in franchise history, the Mavericks are set for a run at the playoffs, something the Dallas franchise hasn’t done since 2016.

However, even with the uber-talented European one-two punch, Dallas is void of a legit starting center. Nevertheless, Dallas has the depth at the center position to make substitutions by scenario. For instance, Maxi Kleber is ideal for defensive switch situations and overall defensive versatility. Boban Marjanovic for rebounds and situations where height is most imperative. Finally, Powell, for pick-and-roll opportunities and every-now-and-then three-point attempts.

Despite another starless finish in free agency, Dallas bounced back with a roster fit for competing in the jungle of the NBA, the Western Conference.