Mavericks' major flaws have an underrated free-agency solution they shouldn't ignore

It's been all quiet on the Western Front, with the Dallas Mavericks yet to make a move in an already raucous free agency. But one underrated player who would solve several of Dallas' biggest problems, including its lack of shooting and guard depth, is still sitting on the market.

That's Anfernee Simons.

Simons, who split time between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls this past season, averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.7 three-pointers per game, shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Mavericks’ 3-point shooting woes make Anfernee Simons a perfect fit

Simons doesn't provide much outside of elite marksmanship, and he really hasn't throughout his career (2.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 0.5 steals per game). That's likely why he's become a relatively underrated player. But in today's NBA, being an elite shooter is an invaluable skill.

And it's one the Mavericks desperately need. Dallas finished in the bottom five in both 3-point makes and 3-point percentage last season. Even more concerning, the Mavericks ranked last in the NBA on wide-open threes, shooting just 35.0 percent, and 26th in catch-and-shoot triples at 35.4 percent.

Simons, meanwhile, shot 48.3 percent on wide-open 3-pointers and 42.9 percent on 3.3 catch-and-shoot threes per game. Among the 120 qualified players who attempted at least 2.0 wide-open threes per game, Simons ranked sixth in the entire NBA. Dallas, meanwhile, had just three players qualify: Max Christie (18th), Klay Thompson (72nd), and P.J. Washington (107th).

How Simons separates himself from Dallas’ shooters

The Mavericks only roster two proven shooters in Christie and Thompson, which, while both are respectable marksmen, is a low total in today's NBA. Dallas needs to surround do-it-all forward Cooper Flagg with shooting, and Simons would provide exactly that.

However, Simons adds a different dimension than both Christie and Thompson. He's much more of a movement shooter (similar to what Thompson was in his prime) and isn't afraid to let it fly from well beyond the arc. Nearly half of Simons' shot attempts came from 25-plus feet! Christie and Thompson, meanwhile, tend to operate closer to the 3-point line, with Christie taking most of his threes from 20 to 24 feet and Thompson splitting his 3-point attempts fairly evenly between 20-24 feet and 25-plus feet.

Simons is a threat as soon as he crosses half-court, but that’s not even the extent of what he’d provide the Mavericks. It’s not the primary selling point (like shooting), but Dallas is also extremely thin at guard. That need only grew after using the No. 9 overall pick on Morez Johnson Jr. instead of a guard like Brayden Burries.

Why Dallas’ lack of backcourt depth makes Simons a logical target

As it stands, Christie is the only true shooting guard on the roster, with Thompson functioning more as a guard-forward at this stage of his career. The Mavericks do have Kyrie Irving, Ryan Nembhard, and AJ Johnson at point guard, but none are particularly suited to sliding over to the two. Simons, meanwhile, is only 6-foot-3, but has spent much of his career at shooting guard, profiling cleanly at the two-guard thanks to his elite burst and verticality.

Even after lauding Simons and making the case that he’s an elite fit (even on most teams), he still feels underrated. The career 14.9 points-per-game scorer, who averaged nearly 23 points per game just a few years ago, remains unsigned with surprisingly little noise around his free agency.

Simons played just six games with the Bulls after the All-Star break, after being shut down with a wrist fracture, which certainly dulled some of his shine. His perceived value also took a hit due to the sizable contract he was previously on, averaging around $25 million per season.

Still, the now-underrated guard is an exemplary fit in Dallas, addressing two of the team’s biggest needs in shotmaking and guard depth. Realistically, the Mavericks could scoop him up for cheap on a one-year deal, allowing him to recoup his value in a larger role before testing the market again next summer.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow