Mavericks' shooting struggles make Santi Aldama's return even more crucial

The Dallas Mavericks' 3-point shooting was exposed on Monday night against the Sacramento Kings. Without Kyrie Irving in the lineup, Dallas shot 7-of-33 from downtown. Take breakout guard Walter Clayton Jr. out of the equation, and the Mavericks shot 3-of-28 from long range.

This is nowhere near good enough for Dallas to be a deadly offensive team, regardless of whether Irving played, and the team's lack of shooting allowed the Kings to pack the paint. They were daring the Mavs' perimeter players to shoot, and they were collapsing on Cooper Flagg inside the arc. Flagg didn't have the spacing around him needed to have a big game, and Dallas desperately needs more shooting to make Flagg's life easier and make the offense look more diverse.

The Mavericks need more 3-point shooting

This is why Aldama's return to the hardwood is so important, and every loss they have makes their need for his 3-point shooting and offensive versatility more pressing.

As things stand now, none of the Mavs' centers can be relied upon for consistent shooting. Daniel Gafford hit the first 3-pointer of his career earlier this season, but he and Morez Johnson Jr. are known for their interior finishing rather than their touch from beyond the arc.

This makes Dallas' frontcourt offense far more one-dimensional, as both of their big men are fairly limited. Outside of Kyrie, the team's top six 3-point shooters (by volume) are all shooting below 30 percent from three. The Mavs' shooting has not been great despite their increased volume, and Aldama should help bring this group more balance and depth.

Aldama shot 35 percent from three on 4.7 attempts per game last season. He had nine games in which he made at least three 3-pointers and even knocked down seven threes in a game against the Utah Jazz last December.

Aldama's return will open up the game for everyone else

Aldama is a legitimate threat from long range, and the gravity that he draws on the perimeter will help Flagg and Irving get much better looks inside the arc. His floor spacing will help draw rim protectors out of the paint, allowing Irving and Flagg to get to the basket more easily. Additionally, Aldama can make open shots, play power forward or center, be a connective passer, attack closeouts, and more.

He is more than a stretch big, as the 7-foot Spaniard is a good finisher around the basket, passer, and rebounder on both ends of the floor. Aldama plays with energy, and the Mavs clearly need more of that after seeing how flat they came out against the Kings.

The Mavs' offense needs more of a punch, especially after seeing how they played against the Kings without Kyrie, and Aldama's return is becoming more important for a team that needs to build upon the offensive identity that helped them win three games in a row last week.

Aldama is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs as he works his way back after undergoing knee surgery in March, and Dusty May has emphasized multiple times that his return is on the horizon. Dallas' need for him back in the lineup grows with every loss, as he was quietly their biggest offseason addition, and the shooting, spacing, and fluidity that he will provide to the Mavs' offense will be crucial.

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