Chris Paul's shocking Spurs 180 lays perfect foundation for dream Mavericks run

The Dallas Mavericks have begun to lay out their offseason priorities. For starters, the Mavs are keeping close tabs on their assistant coach Sean Sweeney. He is a leading candidate for the head coaching job of the Phoenix Suns. Assuming he gets the job, Dallas would have two assistant positions to fill, as Alex Jenson recently became the head coach at the University of Utah.

Another priority is finding a replacement for Kyrie Irving. If you recall, Irving tore the ACL in his left knee in March and is expected to be out until next year. So until Irving returns, Dallas desperately needs someone to run the show.

One possible option to replace Irving is Lonzo Ball. He is the perfect candidate to run the Mavs' first unit. Ball fits all the intangibles Dallas is looking for. He can play strong perimeter defense, shoot the ball well from the outside, and create different plays with his high IQ.

The only problem with trading for Ball is his injury history. Ball played in 35 games last season, an upgrade from the past couple of years. He missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons with knee injuries. While he seems ready to make a complete comeback, trading for him is a risk.

Paul's rare durability should make him a must-watch target for Mavs

One point guard who comes without as much injury risk is Chris Paul. Paul was recently linked to the Mavericks, as Marc Stein mentioned him as a name to monitor in free agency for Dallas. He fits all the intangibles Dallas is looking for, as he is a long-term veteran who brings tons of leadership experience. His resume is the exact candidate Dallas is looking for, and they could potentially land him for a veteran minimum deal.

So, what's not to love about Paul? What makes him different from other point guards like Lonzo Ball?

One main difference between the players is health. Last season, Paul played and started all 82 games for the San Antonio Spurs. This marked the first time in Paul's career that he played an entire season. If he can continue to play another full season, then this would be golden for a team like the Dallas Mavericks.

Last season, Dallas dealt with multiple injuries. Signing someone like Chris Paul could help change their injury history and bad luck. Many Mavs' players missed significant time last season, as injuries piled up during the second half of the season. For example, P.J. Washington missed time as he dealt with a right ankle sprain. Other players such as Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Caleb Martin also dealt with injuries.

So, it's clear Dallas needs a player like Chris Paul. His health and experience could be the missing ingredients. Not to mention, at 40 years old, he can still play at a high level. Last season, he averaged 8.8 points per game, 7.4 assists, and shot 37.7 percent from the 3-point line. Paul played well in his final game of the season. He scored 15 points and had seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals.

One thing that stands out is his ability to excel in pick-and-roll situations. This is something Dallas has lacked since trading Luka Doncic. Doncic excelled in finding players like Lively II and Daniel Gafford in rolling situations. If Dallas were to sign Paul, this could work to their advantage.

Plus, Dallas already has the perfect pitch to convince Paul to sign with Dallas. They offer him the best chance to win an NBA title. They have a well-rounded roster and, when healthy, can be one of the most dominant teams in the league.

Paul showed last season he can play a full season, and this is something Dallas desperately lacked. He also has the leadership and experience to help keep things on task until Kyrie Irving returns. Plus, a roster with two interchangeable Hall of Fame point guards isn't a bad idea. Not to mention, signing Paul could help Nico Harrison's championship window become a reality.