Dallas Mavericks: Should Ryan Broekhoff return to the rotation?

Dallas Mavericks forward Ryan Broekhoff is close to returning from a broken leg. Should he jump back into the rotation when healthy?

The Dallas Mavericks have played the last 13 games without Ryan Broekhoff. He suffered a fractured fibula against the Lakers on Dec. 29. The Mavs have won seven times since Broekhoff went down.

The 29-year-old forward cracked the rotation just a few games prior to his injury. He passed Justin Jackson. Broekhoff was averaging 12.3 minutes per over four contests including the game he suffered the injury in. Jackson was a DNP-CD three times during that stretch. Broekhoff had one too as Dallas relied heavily on their starters and playing small.

With him set to return from injury, should Ryan Broekhoff be in the rotation? Here is a look after factoring in the recent changes.

Jackson continues to struggle

Justin Jackson far from ran away the role. Since Jan. 1, he is averaging 6.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game while shooting 36.8 percent from the field and 28.2 percent on his 3-pointers. The 24-year-old was even a DNP-CD in one of those contests.

Jackson gives the Mavs a bit more athleticism. He has a tremendous floater, but his streaky shooting is a bit problematic. Teams are leaving him wide-open because of his struggles. Not sinking his shots is holding back the offense slightly.

Loss of Powell but add in WCS

The Dallas Mavericks lost Dwight Powell to a season-ending Achilles injury on Jan. 21. He was their starting center and averaging 26.5 minutes per game. The front office traded a second round pick for Willie Cauley-Stein on Saturday. He will be filling in at center, but do not expect him to play as much as Powell.

Coach Rick Carlisle will rely more on Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith, but there could be a few additional minutes open too.

The case for Broekhoff

Ryan Broekhoff provides shooting. The 6’6 forward hits his attempts. The 29-year-old is in his second NBA season. He has connected on 42.5 percent of his 113 career 3-point tries. Hitting an open shot has never been an issue for Broekhoff.

There are defensive limitations, though. He struggles to guard quicker wings. That forces him into playing more time as a combo forward, but Broekhoff lacks the size to check physical fours.

Ryan Broekhoff should be a matchups option for Coach Carlisle and the Dallas Mavericks moving forward. If they need shooting and can hide him a bit on the defensive end, the Mavs turn to Broekhoff. He is best served playing in specific situations just like Boban Marjanovic.

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