Dallas Mavericks: Ray Spalding signs with the Atlanta Hawks

Former Dallas Mavericks draft pick, Ray Spalding, has signed a deal to play with the Atlanta Hawks next year. Spalding was selected by the Mavs with the 56th overall pick in the 2018 draft.

The NBA Draft has not been a real focus for the Dallas Mavericks for most of the franchise’s existence and especially since the turn of the century. With Mark Cuban taking over as owner at that time, he felt a bigger need for putting together a team through trades and free agency as opposed to young, unproven pieces.

That approach changed once the Mavs continued regular season success faltered prior to the 2017 draft. Dallas knew it was time to start a rebuild, so they kept their top 10 pick to find a talented player that could immediately jump in and play. That was Dennis Smith Jr.

The next year, Dallas pooled some resources and made the 2018 draft the best one yet. After trading the 5th pick and a future pick to get Luka Doncic, the Mavs also selected NCAA Player of the Year, Jalen Brunson with the 33rd pick, Ray Spalding with the 56th pick and Kostas Antetokounmpo with the 60th pick.

The 2018 NBA Draft was viewed as a very deep draft and both Spalding and Antetokounmpo were seen as value picks for their position in the draft. Unfortunately, the Mavs didn’t value either of them too much.

After the Kristaps Porzingis trade in January of last year, the Mavs were bringing in four players but sending out only three. That meant they needed to cut one player. Mavs fans everywhere were calling for Salah Mejri‘s head, but his relationship with Luka Doncic was deemed too important to let walk, so the Mavs cut Spalding after playing only one minute in a Mavericks jersey.

Spalding was later picked up by the Phoenix Suns and played in 13 games for them for a total of 147 minutes. He averaged 4.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Spalding showed he was a capable bench player, so the Atlanta Hawks saw their chance and scooped him up this offseason.

It’s hard not to view this as a bit upsetting as a Mavs fan. Although Spalding was likely never going to be a significant role player on a title contending team, there is obvious value there. The fact that they lost him and kept Salah is like a knife in the heart for most Mavericks fans who grew tired of having to see “The Mej” fire up threes.

Atlanta got a good youngster in Spalding and the MFFLs wish him nothing but the best in the upcoming season. Although Dallas only had him briefly, Spalding will always be viewed favorably here in D-Town.