Mavericks must defy Nico Harrison's plan in crucial roster decision

The Dallas Mavericks signed Dennis Smith Jr. to an Exhibit 9 contract on Thursday, meaning that he has an invite to training camp, and Dallas must put Nico Harrison's "defense wins championships" vision to the side when determining his future. One speculated outcome for the Mavs has been cutting Brandon Williams to create a roster spot for Smith Jr., since his contract isn't guaranteed, but this is a move that they must avoid at all costs.

Dallas shouldn't even think about getting rid of Williams next season, let alone cut him before the season even begins, and this could end up being a conversation in Mavericks circles during the preseason if Smith Jr. plays at a high level and this battle truly turns out to be a major story.

Smith Jr. has turned into one of the most impactful point-of-attack defenders in the NBA ever since he was traded by the Mavericks to the New York Knicks in 2019, and if Dallas does end up keeping him, it would likely be because Harrison, Jason Kidd, and company believe that he would raise Dallas' defensive ceiling significantly.

Mavericks can't afford to cut Brandon Williams for Dennis Smith Jr.

While Smith Jr. would immediately become one of the best perimeter defenders on the team alongside Max Christie and Caleb Martin, they don't need his defense more than they need Williams and his shot creation. Williams is one of the only players on the team who can create their own shot from anywhere on the floor, and they are going to need him badly with Kyrie Irving set to miss a large chunk of next season.

Naji Marshall and Williams will be two of the only guards generating paint touches during Irving's absence, and while Smith Jr. is known for his flashy dunks and athleticism, he is nowhere near the shot creator that Williams is.

Dallas would be sacrificing more offense than they are gaining on the other end of the floor, and the Mavs' perimeter defense is much better than they are getting credit for. Marshall, Christie, Martin, and Dante Exum should be able to keep the Mavs' point-of-attack defense held together, and even if they don't, their back line is elite.

Dallas will have P.J. Washington, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford all holding down the paint, and the Mavs' defense is going to be just fine.

Harrison has prioritized making Dallas' defense as stout as possible ever since he traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis, and other moves following that have reflected the same mentality. Harrison and the Mavericks believed Martin would become the best perimeter defender on the team after they traded Quentin Grimes for him, but heading into next season, they don't need to put too much weight into "defense wins championships" when it comes to deciding between keeping Williams or waiving him for Smith Jr.

Williams' defense isn't bad, as he has good hands and gives good effort, and getting rid of him now would be a disaster. He'd likely have the chance to flourish for a team elsewhere, and the Mavs would be cutting him to bring in a one-dimmensional guard who has been out of the NBA for over a year.

Dumping Jaden Hardy in a trade to make room for Smith Jr. would make sense, as Hardy's role is looking uncertain for next season, but punting on Williams after his end-of-season breakout before the 2025-26 season kicks off would be a dangerous move that they must avoid.