Mavericks: Nicolo Melli could be Dallas’ secret weapon in the playoffs

The Dallas Mavericks made a trade to acquire J.J. Redick and Nicolo Melli at the deadline. Sometimes the most influential moves are the ones that come with little fanfare. Every season, deals that are considered minor by the average fan turn out to be instrumental for the teams swinging them.

For example, Jae Crowder wound up on the Miami Heat as a result of his inclusion as salary filler in a deal for Andre Iguodala last season. In the end, Crowder proved much more valuable to Miami throughout their NBA Finals run than their actual trade target.

The Mavericks made a similar move by adding Trey Burke for the team’s 2020 bubble playoffs. Short on guard play, the Dallas Mavericks adding Burke turned out to be a fantastic move as he lit the bubble on fire in his new threads.

Nicolo Melli could provide an unexpected boost for the Dallas Mavericks

J.J. Reddick’s arrival in Dallas was met with jubilee as Mavericks fans rejoiced the addition of one of the greatest snipers in league history. What some fans might have glossed over though, was the inclusion of Italian stretch-big Nicolo Melli.

Melli has yet to find his groove since arriving in the NBA in 2019. Last year, he played a consistent bench role for the New Orleans Pelicans where he served as one of their few shooters. While Melli has yet to prove that his shooting stroke will translate in the United States, his potential as a true stretch-big certainly beefs up the trade package that Dallas received.

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