Mavericks' Marcus Sasser trade is flying too far under the radar

The Dallas Mavericks traded for Marcus Sasser earlier this offseason, but this move hasn't gotten the excitement it deserves with the regular season just over two months away. Dallas' other moves, such as trading for Zaccharie Risacher and drafting Morez Johnson Jr., have taken center stage, but the Sasser pickup could end up being crucial after a 56-loss season filled with subpar guard play.

Sasser is a Dallas native, and a fresh start for a young, rebuilding team is exactly what he needed after getting buried on the Detroit Pistons bench last season. Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff clearly didn't trust Sasser much, as he stacked up some DNP-CDs last season, and Detroit became a team that didn't have the time to wait on his development after emerging as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

He just needs a chance, and that's what the Mavericks are hopefully going to give him.

Why Marcus Sasser should thrive with a fresh start

The young guard averaged 5.2 points and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 41.5 percent from downtown in just 12.0 minutes per game in his final season for the Pistons, showing that he typically produced when given the opportunity. He was known for his 3-point shooting, shot creation, and energy during his three years in Detroit, and he is poised to bring all of these things to Dallas — potentially in a bigger role.

As things stand, the Mavericks only have three point guards under contract for next season: Sasser, Kyrie Irving, and Sergio De Larrea. Irving will obviously hold down the starting spot, but Sasser will have a real chance to earn the backup point guard spot with a strong training camp and preseason.

De Larrea will be in the mix as well, as he's an elite passer with good size, but Sasser has the experience, shooting, and score-first mindset that could make him one of the first players to come off the bench for Dusty May. Most Mavericks fans have seemingly not realized this, as Sasser has hardly been talked about since Dallas officially acquired him last month, but he has the skill to quickly become a fan favorite.

How Sasser fits in Dallas

Mavericks fans love their knockdown 3-point shooters, and this has arguably been Sasser's No. 1 skill since being drafted in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. He has shot 38.6 percent from long range on 3.0 attempts per game for his career, and has deep range, a quick release, and the ability to hit shots off the dribble or the catch.

Sasser has the scoring to play either guard spot for the Mavericks next year, and while he's a bit undersized to play shooting guard, Dallas has the frontcourt size to make up for it. They have Cooper Flagg, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford, and several other lengthy wings ready to make up for any defensive lapses that Sasser has, but his on-ball pressure, effort, and 6-foot-7 wingspan help make up for his lack of size.

Sasser's shooting and three-level scoring make him an intriguing fit in Dallas' backcourt, as the Mavericks lacked in both of those areas last season. The Mavs now have a new spark plug to bring off the bench, and a productive season could lead to the 25-year-old guard joining Dallas' core.

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