Dallas Mavericks: Delon Wright will be one of best free agent signings in NBA

Dallas Mavericks guard Delon Wright will go down as one of the NBA’s best signings of the 2019 offseason. Read about why he was a bargain here.

The Dallas Mavericks seemingly again struck out in free agency by badly missing out on their top targets. Kemba Walker bolted to the Boston Celtics before the Mavs had barely rolled out of bed on July 1st. Unable to sign Nikola Vucevic or Khris Middleton either, the Mavericks were almost immediately back into their annual pursuit of second-tier free agents.

Frustrated fans will justifiably point to the shockingly awful track record the team has had trying to attract star free agents, but the Mavericks unquestionably are better than they were a season ago. The signing of Delon Wright, in particular, gives Dallas a presence at the point guard position that has been missing for years.

Luka Doncic‘s job substantially improved in one offseason. The arrival of Kristaps Porzingis gives him a second star to work around. The backcourt additions of Wright and Seth Curry drastically improve the team’s porous defense.

Wright’s offensive abilities shouldn’t be overlooked either. While his 3-point percentage from a season ago is concerning, the Mavs will be put him in the best possible position to maximize his offensive skill set. At 6’5, Wright is bigger than most defenders matching up against him. He made a living in both Toronto and Memphis simply over-stretching and overpowering defenders on his way to the rim.

His shooting shouldn’t be too worrisome for this Mavs team, as Seth Curry’s range will stretch the floor. Having another off-ball scoring option who can also defend opposing scorers will go a long way towards rounding out the lineup. Adding Wright also provides the Mavs with more size over what they had at the position.

Furthermore, the Mavericks completely outsmarted other teams when it came to feeling out the market at the position. The Phoenix Suns paid more for a worse with more mileage in Ricky Rubio, and the Charlotte Hornets overpaid Terry Rozier by almost twice what he is worth. While Dallas did have to part ways with two second round picks, the sign-and-trade was completely necessary.

Signing Wright to a three year, $29 million deal gives the Mavs a lot more flexibility than some other teams in the league. Should Wright completely underperform on this contract, the Mavs shouldn’t have too much trouble trading him.

Signing one of the best all-around players available on the market at the position for substantially less than other teams is a huge win for the Mavericks.

The addition of Delon Wright completes what could be a difficult team to beat night in and night out. The Dallas Mavericks may not quite have the top-end talent that the heaviest hitters in the West do, but the ancillary pieces that surround their two budding megastars will make this a tough, physical, menacing basketball team that will be capable of winning close games on the defensive end.