Mavericks just blew the perfect chance to bring back promising young center

The Dallas Mavericks' biggest strength heading into next season is undoubtedly their frontcourt prowess and big man rotation, as the Mavericks have put together an array of athletic and versatile players at their frontline that will be able to maul opposing teams defensively. However, a team can always get deeper and try to lure in more prospects at a given position, regardless of how much depth they already have at that position.

In fact, the Mavericks did this recently by signing 7-foot-5 center Jamarion Sharp to an Exhibit-10 deal, as Sharp is poised to join Dallas' training camp for the second season in a row after spending all of last season with the Texas Legends. Given how raw Sharp looked at the offensive end in Summer League this past July, it's doubtful he joins Dallas' main roster on their last two-way slot, and it's without question the Mavericks would've been far better suited bringing back another young big instead.

It was announced yesterday per NBA reporter Michael Scotto that former Mavericks big man Moses Brown will be signing a deal with a Denver Nuggets, and the deal is likely expected to be a training camp invite, just like the Mavericks gave Sharp. After playing 26 games in the 2021-22 season for the Mavericks, Brown had bounced around the league and the G League, but he thrived for Dallas in four games last season on a 10-day contract amidst Dallas' injury-riddled stretch.

Mavericks should've brought back Brown instead of Sharp

At almost 26 years old, Brown is a far more polished prospect compared to Sharp, and while Brown may have been ineligible to sign on a two-way contract with Dallas because of stipulations pertaining to how long he's been in the league, he would've had a legitimate chance to make Dallas' roster in lieu of someone like Dwight Powell, whereas Sharp is barely even an NBA prospect.

Brown tore it up for the G League's Westchester Knicks last season, averaging 17.9 points and 15.7 rebounds per game, and he was extremely efficient with his finishing around the rim in his four games in Dallas as well, averaging 11.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game on 72.4 shooting from the field.

Despite looking uncoordinated and indecisive offensively during his first stint in Dallas, similarly to how Sharp looks right now, Brown showcased notable progression on both sides of the ball in his most recent stint with the Mavericks, and it's clear he's added some muscle, which has helped him on both sides of the ball.

Brown or someone like Kai Jones would be far more deserving of E-10 deals from the Mavericks compared to Sharp, and it appears the Mavericks are banking on Sharp potentially becoming their third string center one day because of his sheer potential at his size and length, yet they've had far more polished and promising centers inside the walls of their organization in Jones and Brown.

Make no mistake about it, center definitely isn't a position of need for the Mavericks at this moment given they have Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford, but if they plan on keeping Lively II as their future centerpiece going into this new era with Cooper Flagg, then it makes sense why they would try to invest stock into an additional younger big. However, Sharp is nearly 24 years old and hasn't showcased nearly as much potential as someone like Brown or Jones, and now Brown is officially off the market despite coming off a stellar four-game stretch with Dallas last season.