Mavericks: How should Dallas round out their regular season roster?

Case for Frank Ntilikina making the Dallas Mavericks regular season roster

Ntilikina has elite NBA skill. The 23-year-old guard is a strong perimeter defender and arguably the team’s only stopper on the roster. The 6’4 guard can switch onto multiple positions and provides tough physical defense on the perimeter. It is a skill no player on the roster can replicate and enough to earn The French Prince a place in the final 15.

Ntilikina’s offensive game is a work in progress. He was 23 of 48 from 3-point range last season, but it was a small sample size. The hot shooting only boosted his career percentage from long range to 32.8. The 23-year-old is hoping to prove that his outside shooting from last season was no fluke and to showcase an improved off-the-dribble game in head coach Jason Kidd’s system.

Even if Ntilikina provides nothing on offense, his ability to defend should keep him on the 15-man roster. He is unlikely to be part of the nightly rotation, but the 23-year-old is the perfect end of the bench piece that can come in and change the game.

Frank Ntilikina signed a two-year deal in the offseason, but only the first season is guaranteed. The Mavs would have to eat his $1.8 million salary if he is waived.