8/28 ESPN Insider - Grading the Midwest !!
Dallas Mavericks
Key Additions: Antawn Jamison, Travis Best, Danny Fortson, Jiri Welsch, Josh Howard
Key Subtractions: Nick Van Exel, Adrian Griffin, Evan Eschmeyer
Roster breakdown: Mavs Depth Chart | Free Agent Watch
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The Skinny: The Mavs needed some toughness in the paint in the worst way. However, Don Nelson wasn't willing to give up Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley or Steve Nash to get it done. So Nelson did the next best thing; he addressed his other weakness at small forward and added Jamison, a 20-plus a night scorer, to the roster. Losing Van Exel will be tough, but they got bigger and younger by swapping him for Jamison. Most of the time that's the right formula for trade success in the NBA. Travis Best, Nick's replacement, will defend small guards and relieve Nash. Forston should provide some of that low-post toughness they lack, though he's a bit undersized to be the complete answer to their woes down low. Throw in draft pick Josh Howard and second-year guard Jiri Welsch and the Mavs are also building for the future.
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Grade: A
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