Mavericks' new 7-footer unlocks dominant weapon they've desperately missed

The Dallas Mavericks have been hit hard with injuries to the center position recently, and seemingly nothing is getting easier as the season drags on.

Dallas is without Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II with various serious injuries, and they are doing whatever they can to hold them over until they get healthy. While Dwight Powell is back in the lineup after dealing with a monthlong hip injury, and even with Powell's recent return, they've lost some bodies in the meantime.

Moses Brown's 10-day contract just expired following a dominant stretch of basketball, and the team waived Kylor Kelley to make room to sign Kai Jones. He most recently played for the LA Clippers, and he is set to make his Mavs debut tonight.

In 28 games for the Clippers this season, Jones averaged 2.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 72.2 percent from the field, and he is expected to play real minutes right away. Jason Kidd made it clear that Jones is going to be a part of the rotation as soon as tonight, considering how injured they are.

Kai Jones gives Mavericks the lob threat they've lacked

Jones gives the Mavericks more size, which they desperately need, but he also gives the team something they've desperately needed ever since Davis, Lively II, and Gafford went down.

"That would be something that we haven’t had here of late is being able to play vertical," Kidd said when asked about the lob potential of Jones. "Hopefully with these 12 games we can get that relationship built where we can play a little bit with the vertical game, which right now we just haven’t had."

Dallas' offense with their bigs has revolved around the pick-and-roll game and lobs for years now, and that happens to be the exact way that Jones plays. He thrives off of alley-oop opportunities created by his teammates, and he is a walking highlight reel when it comes to his finishing above the rim.

Dallas has gone away from the lob game almost entirely with Lively II and Gafford being out, and Jones gives the Mavericks' guards another high flyer who can play this role right away. He is known for his ferocious slams and freakish athleticism, and he should be able to fit in right away.

His athleticism is unparalleled, and if a point guard puts a pass in the vicinity of the rim, he is going to go up and grab it and finish with authority. Whether that is in the half court or in transition, he is going to make his presence felt with his verticality and by putting pressure on the rim.

Jones is excited about this opportunity to play for the Mavericks, and seems excited to play with Kyrie Irving. He likes the way that Irving throws lobs, and he is ready to catch them, something that fans have missed recently.

"I think I fit with them because they play a lot of pick and roll, high-speed pick and roll ball handler like Kyrie," Jones said when asked how he fits in Dallas. "I think their pace is really good and they’re looking to throw a lot of lobs, and they have a lot of shooters so space the floor for me too."

Jones is also motivated to prove something to Dallas' coaching staff, as they'll have a big decision to make once April 10 rolls around and they can sign a player to their open roster spot. Kessler Edwards will likely be in the hunt for this open roster spot as well, and time will tell who Dallas decides to roll with for the last few regular season and potentially into the postseason.

"Just go hard, have fun, and show them that I can help them in the playoffs and help them make a deep run," Jones said when asked for what the Mavs are looking for from him. "Show what I’m capable of and help win games. But I think they’re excited about me."

Jones is listed at 6-foot-11, and Kidd referred to him as a 7-footer, and they seem excited about the potential that he can bring in the limited amount of time they have him. Dallas has put a clear emphasis on bringing in 7-footers, as each of their three latest signings at that position have all been massive (Brown, Jones, and Kelley), and Jones has the chance to make the biggest impact of them all depending on the minutes he gets.

Jones has some outstanding bigs to learn from here in Dallas, and Kidd isn't worried about him making mistakes right now. He just wants him to play with energy, use his athleticism to his advantage, rebound, and block shots. Dallas' system is perfect for a big like Jones, and being able to get thrown into the rotation like this for a playoff team right away is something he has to be excited about.