Dallas Mavericks: Ryan Broekhoff is a valuable rotation piece

Dallas Mavericks wing Ryan Broekhoff has played sparingly this season, but that is a testament to the team’s depth. He is a valuable rotation piece.

The Dallas Mavericks are fresh off a disappointing loss in Toronto. They were up by 30 in the second half before giving up 47 points in the fourth quarter to let the game slip away. It is an afternoon the team would love to forget.

Sunday’s loss marks the second straight game that Ryan Broekhoff was in the rotation, though. He appears to have passed Justin Jackson for the minutes at the three with the second unit.

It is easy to write Broekhoff off. He is a 29-year-old journeyman in his second NBA season. The Australian went to Valparaiso but was forced to start his professional career overseas. The Mavs signed him to a two-year $2.4 million contract in the summer of 2018. He played in just 42 games last season, and Sunday was his eighth of this year. There is more to the story, though.

Valuable rotation piece

Broekhoff was near the bottom of the Dallas Mavericks roster for most of the season. He was often the player in a suit as he was inactive on game days. Broekhoff is the perfect player for an end of the bench role, though.

He has an elite NBA skill. The 29-year-old can shoot the lights out. Over his two NBA seasons, Broekhoff has hit 21 of his 42 3-point attempts or exactly 50 percent. The floor spacing he provides opens attacking lanes for others.

Broekhoff has deficiencies on defense and playmaking, but his ability to shoot allows him to play in the right matchup. That is the perfect end of the bench type player. He would likely play more, but the Dallas Mavericks are one of the deepest teams in the NBA.

Expect Coach Carlisle to use Ryan Broekhoff more frequently as the season progresses. His shooting ability gives the Mavs an added touch. Keep an eye on his playing time especially when Luka Doncic returns from his ankle injury.