Marcus Sasser's specialty is poised to give Mavericks' guard rotation a missing weapon

Last season, the Dallas Mavericks severely lacked reliable 3-point shooting from the point guard spot, much less at the backup point guard position, but this issue is poised to be aided by new addition and Dallas native Marcus Sasser.

With Kyrie Irving out all of last season, Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard shoveled most of Dallas' point guard duties, and Williams shot an abysmal 23.2 percent from beyond the arc, while Nembhard was around league average from distance. Meanwhile, Sasser has shot 38.6 percent from outside through three seasons in the league, and shot a career-high 41.5 percent from downtown last season for the Detroit Pistons.

Marcus Sasser will improve Mavs' 3-point shooting

While Sasser saw limited opportunities on a talented Pistons team last season, one would hope his shooting numbers scale similarly with an expanded role. Irving being back in the lineup will give Dallas a marksman at the point guard position by himself, but as things currently stand, Sasser will likely be Dallas' first guard off the bench next season, meaning Dallas could have reliable three-level scoring from the point guard position for close to 48 minutes in most games next season.

Sasser has even shown the ability to create 3-point looks off the dribble, adding to his dynamism as a shooter, so it will be very interesting to see if that element of his game is on display more in a bigger role next season. This has become his specialty through the first few seasons in his career, and Dallas' offense will benefit because of this.

As a smaller guard in the NBA, it's practically a necessity at this point to have a reliable shot from outside, unless you are a player like Williams, where you are so explosive in terms of getting to the rim and midrange that it can suffice for the lack of a reliable outside jumper.

Sasser is poised to take a leap in an expanded role next season

Sasser may not be as explosive as Williams in terms of getting to the rim, but he's still a solid driver and crafty finisher around the rim, so Dallas probably made the right move in terms of substituting these two backup point guards.

No. 25 overall pick Sergio De Larrea could implement himself into Dallas' point guard rotation with Irving and Sasser next season, but De Larrea is relatively unproven at the NBA level outside of an impressive Summer League debut, so Mavericks fans should have Sasser on their radar as the primary backup point guard for next season unless De Larrea proves differently. Given De Larrea's size, Dallas could even play him and Sasser together in some lineups off the bench, theoretically.

Sasser is undoubtedly one of the biggest wild cards for the Mavericks next season, as him taking a step up in an expanded role could drastically help Dallas' lack of guard depth, especially in games where he may have to start due to a 34-year-old Irving missing time.

It's fair to be critical of Dallas' inability to get another lead guard this summer, while also being excited about what Sasser is going to bring to the table, as he gives the Mavericks the ability to have an above-average shooter at the point guard position for the entire game when both he and Irving are healthy.

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