Mavs' Re-Shaped Roster Looks Improved, on Paper

The Mavs are different, but will they be better?

In the wake of winning 49 games and pushing the eventual champion Spurs to a Game 7, Dallas decided to dismantle their roster. Though they had the offense to run with San Antonio and enough defense to keep them in most games, the Mavs didn’t think standing pat was the right path.

It's certainly a gamble.

Gone from last year’s team are Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin, Vince Carter, Shawn Marion, DeJuan Blair, Bernard James, Wayne Ellington and Samuel Dalembert. By my math that’s eight players who won’t be back. In fact, now that the NBA free-agent dust has settled, the Mavs next season are only bringing back Dirk Nowitzki, Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Monta Ellis, Devin Harris, Ricky Ledo and Gal Mekel.

Sure enough, more going than staying.

The Mavs should be better defensively with the addition of center Tyson Chandler. But who will do Blair’s dirty work? They’ll also be more versatile with the acquisition of Chandler Parsons. But who will fill Carter’s 6th-man role? And who will fill the Marion's multi-talented void?

Barring some major unforeseen changes late in the summer, the re-vamped roster that the Mavs will take to training camp in October:

Point Guard: Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson, Gal Mekel.

Shooting Guard: Monta Ellis, Raymond Felton, Ricky Ledo.

Small Forward: Chandler Parsons, Jae Crowder, Richard Jefferson, Eric Griffin.

Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki, Greg Smith, Al-Farouq Aminu.

Center: Tyson Chandler, Brandan Wright.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us