Ranking newly acquired Dallas Mavericks by immediate impact

Ranking newly acquired Dallas Mavericks by immediate impact: 2. JaVale McGee

Head coach Jason Kidd wasted no time in naming McGee the team’s starting center. It was likely part of the Mavs pitch to convince him to sign in Dallas on a three-year deal worth $17.2 million. Dallas had to keep a chunk of their taxpayer mid-level exception open to sign Jaden Hardy to a three-year deal.

Just because McGee is in the starting five, does not mean he is going to play 30 minutes per game. The seven-footer will take Dwight Powell’s place in the starting lineup, and he will likely play between ten and 20 minutes each night. McGee is an elite role man that provides rim protection and rebounding that Powell does not.

After the Mavericks traded Kristaps Porzingis to Washington, they did not have a true rim protector. McGee is a deterrent around the rim, and he finished sixth in the NBA in defensive field goal percentage allowed within six feet. The 34-year-old big man is a game-changer on defense.

Fans should not expect too much. JaVale McGee is proven that he can make a significant impact on the game in 15 minutes each night. He will continue to play that role and thrive in Dallas under head coach Jason Kidd. McGee will get plenty of lobs from Luka Doncic, and his defense will make the Dallas Mavericks even better on that end of the floor.