2 ways Seth Curry can help the Mavericks, 2 ways he could hurt

Seth Curry. A familiar face is back with the Dallas Mavericks after two previous stints. Curry spent the 2016-17 season and the 2019-20 season playing for the Mavericks.

In 2016-17, the sharpshooter ignited his career, as he averaged career highs across the board. Up until 2016, Curry had never played in more than 45 games or averaged more than sixteen minutes per game. In the 2016-17 season, Curry played 29.0 minutes and averaged 12.0 points per game. Additionally, Curry shot an astounding 48.1 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from deep.

After a two-year hiatus from Dallas, with one season spent nursing a shin injury and the other suiting up for the Portland Trail Blazers, Curry returned to Dallas in 2019. During the 2019-20 season, Curry's minutes dipped from his previous year in Dallas, but his efficiency rose and his averages remained similar. Curry averaged 12.4 points per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the floor and 45.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Now, entering his age 33 season, Curry looks to remain a highly efficient sharpshooter, akin to his previous two seasons in Dallas. Of course, Curry has never shot below 45 percent from the field or below 40 percent from three in any season.

To begin the article, Curry's shooting will be discussed and how it will greatly affect the Mavs roster. But, what else does Curry bring to the table? And, how could the addition of the shoot-first guard hurt the Dallas roster?

Help 1. Shooting and Floor Spacing

When talking about Curry, it's impossible not to mention his shooting prowess. For starters, Curry is sixth all-time in career three-point percentage. In his career, Curry has shot the three-ball at a 43.5 percent clip and his brother, Stephen, even named him as one of the best shooters in the NBA.

In both his seasons playing for the Mavs, he shot above 42 percent from behind the arc. He provides phenomenal spacing whenever he's on the court. No matter where he is in the half-court, a defender must stay within a few feet of Curry, or else it'll likely be three points.

By the end of last season, the Mavs only had two players shoot above 40 percent from beyond the arc. Jaden Hardy and Josh Green. However, neither play shot more than 3.5 three-pointers per game. It is likely that both players would shoot closer to 35 percent if their volume were to rise.

Curry consistently shoots above 40 percent from three while attempting more than five threes per game. Per 36 minutes, Curry has never shot below 5.7 three-pointers in a season.

This offseason, the Mavs seemed to prioritize defense and athleticism. Dallas drafted two defensive-minded players, center Dereck Lively II and forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper. In free agency, the Mavs added additional defenders in forward Grant Williams, guard Dante Exum, and wing Derrick Jones Jr. None of those players have shot four or more threes per game in any season, collegiate or professional.

To ease shooting concerns with a handful of the Mavs' new additions, Curry will surely be the answer. Even alongside stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Curry's spot in the lineup won't be taken for granted.

In order for Doncic and Irving to have the requisite space to operate offensively, shooting must be on the floor. Curry will alleviate any concern that the Mavs may have in figuring out how to best space the floor when their two superstars are on the court.