Mavericks' sleeper signing has the juice to finally fix their abysmal shooting

The Dallas Mavericks' 3-point shooting, among many other things, is a major reason that they fourth-worst team in the Western Conference, and they just took a major step in the right direction to solve this issue by signing John Poulakidas. Dallas signed Poulakidas to a two-way deal over the weekend, and Mavs fans' jaws will hit the floor when they see the type of production that he's been putting out in the G League.

In 24 games for the San Diego Clippers, the undrafted rookie averaged 14.7 points per game while shooting 47.3 percent from downtown on 8.5 attempts per game. This type of efficinecy on extremely high volume is unheard of, and he should have the chance to make an impact immediately for a squad that desperately needs shooting.

Mavericks' desperation for 3-point shooting leads them to Poulakidas

Dallas is currently 28th in the NBA in 3-point percentage at 34.2 and 28th in 3-pointers attempted per game at 31.2. Not only are the Mavericks not converting 3-pointers, but they also aren't shooting enough of them.

It's extremely hard to win in today's NBA with suspect long-range shooting, and Poulakidas should help them get back on track in this department if Jason Kidd gives him a chance. The Mavericks need any and all of the help that they can get when it comes to 3-point shooting, and fans could get their first look at the team's new sharpshooter at some point this week.

Dallas kicks off a six-game road trip tonight against the Charlotte Hornets, and Poulakidas, along with their other two-way signing Tyler Smith, both made the trip. The Mavericks could get a good look at both of them with how injured they are, and all eyes will be on Poulakidas due to his other-worldly shooting that he displayed in the G League before signing with Dallas.

Why John Poulakidas can make a major impact in Dallas

He is lethal off the catch, and his ability to knock down threes when coming off screens should allow Kidd to use him in a variety of ways. Poulakidas will also have the chance to learn from one of the greatest movement shooters in NBA history, Klay Thompson, and his knockdown shooting should give the Mavs a much-needed boost in an area they have struggled in all season long.

Thompson and Max Christie are the only two players on the roster averaging over 1.2 made threes per game for Dallas, showing how desperate they were to add 3-point shooting. Trading for Khris Middleton at least helped in this department, but the Mavericks obviously knew that they needed another 3-point marksman on the roster to finish the season.

At worst, Poulakidas struggles to find time for the Mavericks and proves to be a one-year project. At best, he develops into someone who finds a role in Kidd's rotation over the final 22 games of the season, and Dallas signs him to another two-way or a standard deal after this season.

Poulakidas just happens to give the Mavericks what they need most, and their desperation for floor spacers could make him someone that stickss around beyond this season.