Why the Dallas Mavericks must pursue recently released point guard

Noah Weber

Denver Nuggets v Phoenix Suns - Game Six / Christian Petersen/GettyImages

The Dallas Mavericks technically still have a roster spot available due to the fact that the Markieff Morris signing hasn't been made official yet, and they have a few different directions they can go with this.

They can either sign Morris to be a veteran leader off the bench, or sign someone else.

And one particular player recently got released, and the Mavs should consider giving him their final roster spot.

Why the Dallas Mavericks must pursue recently released point guard

That player is Cameron Payne, and Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the San Antonio Spurs would be releasing him. Payne was traded to the Spurs from the Phoenix Suns earlier this offseason, and now the veteran point guard will have the chance to sign with a new team as he hits the open market.

Last season for the Suns, Payne averaged 10.3 points, 4.5 assists, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 36.8 percent from downtown. Payne also started in 15 games last year and will be a valuable asset for any contender who needs a new backup point guard.

Payne would thrive in a role in Dallas because they need a true backup point guard. Yes, they already have numerous bench guards for next season, but none of them are a true facilitator like Payne.

He is a crafty scorer around the basket, a solid shooter, and a nuisance on defense. Payne isn't as versatile and good on defense as newly-signed point guard Dante Exum, but Payne could end up being a better fit if Exum isn't as good of a facilitator as Dallas needs.

Most of Dallas' guards off the bench aren't known for being facilitators, and Payne could be the leader of the second unit that Dallas needs to set up the scorers.

Exum had a great performance in the FIBA World Cup and could end up being the perfect backup point guard, but Payne could be a great alternative if Dallas doesn't have much faith in Exum.

Will the Dallas Mavericks pursue Cameron Payne? That question will be answered soon, as Payne will likely be a hot commodity on the free agent market.

We'll have you covered with all the latest news and rumors surrounding the Dallas Mavericks, so stay tuned.

Noah Weber

Noah Weber is the Site Expert for The Smoking Cuban, covering the Dallas Mavericks as a credentialed media member since the 2022-23 season. With a Bachelor of Science in Sports Media from Oklahoma State University, Noah has worked in sports journalism since 2019. While he's covered the Dallas Cowboys and Oklahoma State Cowboys, he has now established himself as a go-to voice for Mavericks coverage. Noah's expertise includes in-depth game analysis, social media content creation, and offering unique perspectives through his reporting. His work has been featured on major platforms such as ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Overtime. During his time at Oklahoma State, Noah won first place in the Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association Awards for a show he co-produced. Outside of covering the Mavs, Noah enjoys working out, playing basketball and Spikeball, and spending quality time with friends and family.