Dallas Mavericks: How the center minutes should be divided after the trade

Starting traditional

When the Dallas Mavericks open the game with two traditional big men it will be Kristaps Porzingis and Maxi Kleber. KP will likely be the first sub in this scenario, and Willie Cauley-Stein will enter the game. He will close out the first quarter at the five playing the roll man for Luka.

Coach Carlisle has options now. He likely goes back to KP to start the second quarter and gives him a two to four-minute break in the middle of the frame. That is where Cauley-Stein sees his run.

The Mavericks repeat the rotation in the second half. In this scenario, Porzingis and WCS play all 48 minutes at the five. The split is likely 31 for KP and 17 for Cauley-Stein.

It all depends on their play, though. If Thrill is lighting it up and catching lobs all over, then he plays over 20 minutes. If he is struggling with foul trouble or his matchup, the number could shrink closer to ten. That is the advantage of having options.

Willie Cauley-Stein will certainly be a valuable addition to the Dallas Mavericks. His ability to protect the rim and be a productive roll man are keys to the team’s success. The 26-year-old could play his best basketball under Carlisle. He would not be the first center to do so.

Keep an eye on Cauley-Stein’s minutes and production as he settles in. There are a lot of moving parts at this juncture. Expect the Mavs to keep winning and figuring it out. Stay tuned for what is going to be a fun ride into the postseason.