Let's talk roster.

[Highlight_15]

What the new guys will bring:

Mayo - Great offensive talent who can create his own shot; has All-Star potential. Formidable defender as well. Decent playmaker who can play a bit of PG. An early Most Improved Player of the Year candidate.

Collison - Another young talent. He can play the pick-and-roll effectively. Brings some defense and possesses extreme speed. Also, he can score if needed. Needs to improve 3 point range.

Kaman - Provides a bit offensively with post-up and mid-range shot. Rebounds well. Not an elite defender but is capable of blocking shots and holding his own. Another German 7-footer who already has chemistry w/ Dirk.

Brand - He's battle tested and brings leadership. Has ability to post-up and shoot. Statistically, one of the best at post defense. Can play 4/5 and a good rebounder.

Dahntay - Can be our next DeShawn Stevenson. Brings athleticism and strong D. Tough nosed, smart player.

Crowder: Will bring a ton of energy. Tough kid who plays with a lot of heart. Does many things well and I believe he's NBA ready. He should get minutes over VC.

Cunningham: Athletic as hell. Could be a great backup PG one day with his size. He plays great on the defensive end. Another guy who can bring energy and has a solid offensive game. Needs work on 3s.

James - We know his story. We know he's a guy who won't quit or back down. A fresh 27 year old who can rebound well and is another big body we can throw in there.

Who we know:

Dirk - Still the man. Leads by example but may be needed to speak up more this year without Kidd/Terry.

Marion - Lockdown defender. Slasher. A reliable vet.

Roddy - Should take Terry's role and be the offensive spark off the bench. I can see him and Brand developing good chemistry. It's time for him to unleash.

Wright - Going to bring loads of energy with Crowder off the bench. Great shot blocker and rebounder. Improved offensive game, can play some Center.

DoJo - He has been scoring in Summer League and looks a lot better. Has been looking to find his teammates more. May not get many minutes, could be a nice trade piece.

Carter - Old man but can still ball. Don't ask too much from him but in limited minutes, he will leave his mark. Can make the open 3 and the occasional highlight dunks. A limited playing role suits him.

15th Man - ? West? Would be sick but would definitely mean we would trade one of our guards. Wouldn't mind another frontcourt player.

Overall, the Mavs will be a stout team offensively. I don't see it being a problem, will be our biggest strength, IMO. Defensively we will be better, not suffocating but more than good enough. Coach Carlisle will manage everyone beautifully and the Mavs will have one of the best, if not the best bench in basketball. Dark horse contenders? No doubt about it.

Worse comes to worst, the Mavs will have plenty of cap space next offseason to sign potential stars. Kudos to Cuban and Donnie, can't wait to see this team compete next year.

[jthig32]

Caplan says James is going to sign a contract in the next day or two. So that answers that question.

Kaman/Brand/Wright/James
Dirk/Kaman/Marion
Marion/Carter/Crowder
Mayo/Dahntay Jones/Carter
Collison/Roddy/Dom Jones/Cunningham

One roster spot left.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Caplan says James is going to sign a contract in the next day or two. So that answers that question.

Kaman/Brand/Wright/James
Dirk/Kaman/Marion
Marion/Carter/Crowder
Mayo/Dahntay Jones/Carter
Collison/Roddy/Dom Jones/Cunningham

One roster spot left.

Good.

[oilfieldtrash]

Might be time to bring in a young pf and start grooming him.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I'm really glad James is getting a contract. He was pretty much as good as any center during the summer league overall.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by oilfieldtrash

Might be time to bring in a young pf and start grooming him.

I hear we are looking at a lottery pick (8th overall ) from a couple of years ago and he's only 24 (three years younger than Bernard James). Might be worth a look.

[aexchange]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Caplan says James is going to sign a contract in the next day or two. So that answers that question.

Kaman/Brand/Wright/James
Dirk/Kaman/Marion
Marion/Carter/Crowder
Mayo/Dahntay Jones/Carter
Collison/Roddy/Dom Jones/Cunningham

One roster spot left.

In looking at this roster, West seems like he would be a fantastic fit if you could somehow trade Dojo or Roddy to another team for the cap space. The Nets have expressed interest in AK47 and all they have is the vet minimum. Given that, I wonder if AK47 would be interested in coming to the Mavs for the $2.5M exception. He'd be a fantastic fit right behind Marion.

Kaman/James
Dirk/Brand/Wright
Marion/AK47/Carter/Crowder
Mayo/West/Dahntay Jones
Collison/Roddy/Cunningham

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I'm really glad James is getting a contract. He was pretty much as good as any center during the summer league overall.

Of players with 4+ games played

5th in rebounds per game
1st in blocks per game
22nd in steals per game

10pts, 9reb, 2.6blocks, 1.4steals on 61% shooting plus its just really hard not to cheer for the "Sarge"

[Bayliss]

Nevermind talking about Wright.

[oilfieldtrash]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

I hear we are looking at a lottery pick (8th overall ) from a couple of years ago and he's only 24 (three years younger than Bernard James). Might be worth a look.

Too bad the Mavericks have him penciled in at center. Did he play one minute at power forward last year? I'd thought you'd known that?

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Of players with 4+ games played

5th in rebounds per game
1st in blocks per game
22nd in steals per game

10pts, 9reb, 2.6blocks, 1.4steals on 61% shooting plus its just really hard not to cheer for the "Sarge"

But at least it's not just a "show" because of his service. The guy actually produces...so far. Having a good and smart head on your shoulders goes a long way. You know if he gets real NBA minutes at some point that he damn well earned it.

[iella]

Collison on The Ticket with Followill right now: http://tunein.com/radio/The-Ticket-1310-s35596/

[iella]

Nothing earth-shattering... he discussed being excited to play with Dirk, his relationship/chemistry with OJ Mayo, and what it was like to play with CP3. Pointed out that he buys in to "defense wins championships" and is ready to put in the defensive effort.

[mavs777]

Starting
PG: Collison
SG: Mayo
SF: Marion
PF: Dirk
C: Kaman
Third big: Brand
Third guard: West
Backup 3: Vince/Crowder (I suspect by mid season it will be mostly crowder's)
Fourth big: Wright
Fourth guard: Roddy
Garage time: Dojo/Cunningham/James/Jones

[jthig32]

It's not a huge deal, but in the interests of roster balance, moving Dom Jones and bringing in a 4/3 that will never play would make sense.

[sefant77]

Move Cunningham to the D-league so Dojo can have his make or break playing time.

[BGMaverick9]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Move Cunningham to the D-league so Dojo can have his make or break playing time.

I'm pretty sure that was going to happen either way, but it's not like that meant Jones would get automatic playing time. He's in a platoon of combo guards now, so he'll have to find a way to get minutes.

[mavs777]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Move Cunningham to the D-league so Dojo can have his make or break playing time.

Well at best he is going to be the 5th guard, so.....

[nowhereman]

Originally Posted by mavs777

Starting
PG: Collison
SG: Mayo
SF: Marion
PF: Dirk
C: Kaman
Third big: Brand
Third guard: West
Backup 3: Vince/Crowder (I suspect by mid season it will be mostly crowder's)
Fourth big: Wright
Fourth guard: Roddy
Garage time: Dojo/Cunningham/James/Jones

We'll be the garage league champs!

[howdoesmydirktaste]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...e-act/related/

Didn't see this article posted here, but I like it.

[Mr.gates]

Surprised no one here has began to talk about the delonte signing. Stein reported it mavs and west agree to deal. So if James and mavs come to terms won't that be a 15 man roster? Can they send one or two to d league to create space on the roster?

[spreedom]

I'll be honest, I absolutely love this roster, especially considering how easy it would have been to pack it in and fill the roster with a bunch of scrubs. Almost everyone on the roster is capable of playing multiple positions, we have a lot of players that have played quality minutes on good teams, and we have incredible financial flexibility. There's nothing not to like, other than the fact that the Deron/Dwight pipe dream never came to pass.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by Mr.gates

Surprised no one here has began to talk about the delonte signing. Stein reported it mavs and west agree to deal. So if James and mavs come to terms won't that be a 15 man roster? Can they send one or two to d league to create space on the roster?

We can send a couple of guys down to the D-League, but their absences wouldn't create additional roster spots.

[Mr.gates]

Collison/west/dojo
Mayo/roddy/jones/cunningham
Marion/carter/crowder
Nowitzki/wright
Kaman/brand/James/

I could see a trade coming around camp if not then around the trade deadline. A package of two or three maybe for another scoring threat? I personally like where we are at for time being Dirk will no longer be double teamed as much with Kaman down low. We're in for an exciting team to watch this year.

[spreedom]

TBH I'd be surprised if we made any real trades unless we're getting Dwight, and that wouldn't be possible until December. Otherwise, our younger guys like Dojo and Roddy just won't have the combination of trade value and contract size to give us a huge upgrade. I think we'll ride it out and use our expirings wisely at the deadline, unless we stand pat altogether.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Mr.gates

Collison/west/dojo
Mayo/roddy/jones/
Marion/carter/crowder
Nowitzki/wright
Kaman/brand/James/

You forgot Cunningham.

[Mr.gates]

I think we use our expiring contracts before we get rid of dojo and roddy. Would love to see if those two turn into good rotation players.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by spreedom

I'll be honest, I absolutely love this roster, especially considering how easy it would have been to pack it in and fill the roster with a bunch of scrubs. Almost everyone on the roster is capable of playing multiple positions, we have a lot of players that have played quality minutes on good teams, and we have incredible financial flexibility. There's nothing not to like, other than the fact that the Deron/Dwight pipe dream never came to pass.

Yep, we're currently a dark horse with enough flexibility to become a full-on title contender in the blink of an eye...

[EricaLubarsky]

Honestly nabbing a superstar would have been a coup but I dont want to imagine the team that the Mavs could have fielded with Dirk, Deron, Marion, Carter, Roddy and Dojo and 3mill in cap space to fill the other 6-8 positions. The team could have eventually made it as the Heat are doing, but it would have been rough this year.

I like this current team a lot-- a superstar, some stars, a ton of versatility and a lot of guys with motor. We replaced lazy and aging guys with hungry guys-- almost everyone is playing in a contract year and many of them also want to prove their critics wrong. Its a recipe for success and this team also has all the pieces necessary to make an even more compelling bid for another star whether by trade or free agency. Plus I think the MBT really came out and proved everyone wrong, which will be a strong argument for more free agents to come here in the future. Deron may lament his decision when he's knee deep in a .400 season and future free agents should take note.

They re-signed one of the top 3 coaches in the NBA to give us stability
Proved that they can work absolute magic in both big and small transactions
And they put together a team that will most likely make the playoffs for the 12th straight season (And 11 of 12 years with 50+ wins)

You come to big D and you will be taken care of-- not just by a good owner with top-of-the-line facilities but you'll also have a competent management and a legendary coach.

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Honestly nabbing a superstar would have been a coup but I dont want to imagine the team that the Mavs could have fielded with Dirk, Deron, Marion, Carter, Roddy and Dojo and 3mill in cap space to fill the other 6-8 positions. The team could have eventually made it as the Heat are doing, but it would have been rough this year.
.

Not really.

Sign Deron, bid on Brand with the 3mill cap and bring West back with the exception.

Deron/Dojo
West/Roddy/Cunningham
Marion/Carter/Crowder
Dirk/Brand
Brand/Wright/James

Sign for the minimum a veteran PG and a veteran true center and the team is solid 10 deep without counting the rookies. I even like this team (with max cap slot in 2014) much better than the Nets team.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Not really.

Sign Deron, bid on Brand with the 3mill cap and bring West back with the exception.

Deron/Dojo
West/Roddy/Cunningham
Marion/Carter/Crowder
Dirk/Brand
Brand/Wright/James

Sign for the minimum a veteran PG and a veteran true center and the team is solid 10 deep without counting the rookies. I even like this team (with max cap slot in 2014) much better than the Nets team.

'cept we wouldnt have been able to bid with only 6 guys on the roster and 6 player holds at 400k each (2.6mill against our cap). There goes Brand and suddenly the team is 1 deep at most spots and looking at 82+ games.

[quietsavant]

Legit question : Would you rather have Vince Carter or CJ Miles on this roster?

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by quietsavant

Legit question : Would you rather have Vince Carter or CJ Miles on this roster?

Vince Carter, and it's not even close... What has CJ Miles ever done? He's a career 42% shooter who never excelled in a single aspect of the game. The only interest in getting him this offseason was the possibility that he could help us lure Deron Williams to Dallas, but that ship has sailed (sunk?).

Vince still has flashes of his old self, which would give us a lot more spark off the bench than CJ could ever offer...

[purplefrog]

Originally Posted by quietsavant

Legit question : Would you rather have Vince Carter or CJ Miles on this roster?

Vince by a long shot. The current roster could still use another perimeter shooter and if you lose Vince for Miles, that need becomes even greater.

[EricaLubarsky]

Miles is a career 33% shooter from deep
Carter is a career 37% shooter from deep

Carter can still occasionally create his own offense and is an extremely underrated rebounder (Marion dwarfs him but his 13.4 reb rating is still impressive for a 3)

give me Carter 10 times out of 10.

[markus1234]

Carter should be slightly better this year with more rest and time to practice (his shot) between games.

...despite being one year older.

[quietsavant]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Vince Carter, and it's not even close... What has CJ Miles ever done? He's a career 42% shooter who never excelled in a single aspect of the game. The only interest in getting him this offseason was the possibility that he could help us lure Deron Williams to Dallas, but that ship has sailed (sunk?).

Vince still has flashes of his old self, which would give us a lot more spark off the bench than CJ could ever offer...

Strong response. I'm all for offense, which I think actually dwindled as the season went on last year.

What worries me is that he is slotted at the backup SF position behind Trix, and brings nothing defensively. My hope is that Carlisle finds a way to put crowder in there as the season progress.

Because when Trix gets in foul trouble against OKC, and Dahntay Jones is stuck guarding James Harden, Vince Carter is not the name I want to hear called to guard KD.

I suppose Rick could always go the Mayo-Dahntay lined up together route, but I think a 25yo swing man with defense and more youthful bounce to his step would be more productive at this point, imo.

[quietsavant]

Wow, I'm surprised by the overwhelming VC support guys. I guess we love us some VC in MavNation.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by quietsavant

Strong response. I'm all for offense, which I think actually dwindled as the season went on last year.

What worries me is that he is slotted at the backup SF position behind Trix, and brings nothing defensively. My hope is that Carlisle finds a way to put crowder in there as the season progress.

Because when Trix gets in foul trouble against OKC, and Dahntay Jones is stuck guarding James Harden, Vince Carter is not the name I want to hear called to guard him.

I suppose Rick could always go the Mayo-Dahntay lined up together route, but I think a 25yo swing man with defense and more youthful bounce to his step would be more productive at this point, imo.

I don't know what you're talking about there - Vince Carter's defense was pretty solid last season, especially in limited minutes... And you also seem to be forgetting about Jae Crowder, who is a pretty tenacious defender that looks to be NBA-ready and primed to get some burn behind Matrix.

[quietsavant]

Originally Posted by Underdog

I don't know what you're talking about there - Vince Carter's defense was pretty solid last season, especially in limited minutes... And you also seem to be forgetting about Jae Crowder, who is a pretty tenacious defender that looks to be NBA-ready and primed to get some burn behind Matrix.

I mentioned Crowder, in hopes that Rick puts him in, as supposed to the aging vet VC who will most likely steal the rookies minutes at SF.