Best Bargain-Bin NBA 2014 Free-Agency Options for Dallas Mavs
Seemingly every summer with the Dallas Mavericks revolves around the pursuit of a marquee free agent. Through the years names like Dwight Howard, Deron Williams and Chris Paul have been targets of the franchise looking to secure another star.
And this year is much the same, as Carmelo Anthony is the newest big-ticket item on the Mavsโ free-agent to-do list.
But of course Carmelo, a team does not make. Role players, though not as vital, are very important. Carmelo and Dirk Nowitzki might be the bricks of a dream scenario next year, but guys like Devin Harris and Jae Crowder hold the bricks together.
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And given Dallasโ aforementioned free-agency to-do list, theyโve got some magic to work with role players.
Nowitzki signed a team-friendly three-year deal for around $30 million, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, and Harris also signed a discounted three-year $9 million contract as reported by Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Though these are both helpful signings, especially in financial terms, the Mavs have a lot more to do.
Vince Carter is still out there in free agency, and thereโs mutual interest, according to Sefko. Then Shawn Marion is also still unsigned, and with the dearth of wing defenders on the roster, he seems to be someone the organization should want back.
Of course, this is all without even talking about a big free agent like Anthony.
As it sits currently, Dallas has roughly $15 million in cap space. And thatโs before re-signing the vets like Carter and Marion.
This means Dallas has to look long and hard in that free-agent bargain bin. It's going to need to find a few rotation players from the lot, and that can be a tall order.
The Mavs will probably need an adequate Tyson Chandler backup, another point guard and, of course, shooters never hurt. It might seem simple, but itโs far from it when it comes to finding players who fit the bill and can be had for close to the minimum.
They might want to look the way of the following three guys for some cheap help.
Greg Stiemsma
Heโs not the sexiest of names, but heโll do for what Dallas needs.
Greg Stiemsma stands 6โ11โ and can move pretty well. Heโs athletic, has a 7โ3โ wingspanย and uses his physical tools well on defense.
Over his three years in the NBA, he has averaged 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes, and thatโs where heโs made his mark. Heโs far from a gifted offensive player, and his eight rebounds per 36 minutes are just OK.
But he wonโt be signed for his offensive production. Heโll be brought in because in his 15 to 20 minutes per game, he can play rim protector and do his best to limit the defensive drop-off when the newly acquired Chandler goes to the bench.
And the way he plays creates value too. He might not always be in the right place at the right time, but he plays with energy, which is something this team could use a bit of.
The best part with Stiemsma, though, is that he can be had for cheap.
Last year he played for $2.76 million with New Orleans, and though he played well, he probably wonโt be getting anything more than that this season.
In other words, the Mavs could snag an athletic, decent rim protector for a very reasonable price.
That kind of a signing should be very high on the list.
If Stiemsma isnโt sexy, then what does that make Steve Blake?
Blake isnโt overly athletic and doesnโt have a big wingspan. He doesnโt play above the rim, and heโs 34 years old.
But as far as backup point guards go, heโs great. For his career, Blake shoots 38.8 percent from deep and averages 5.8 assists per 36 minutes. He plays hard, and though heโs not great on defense, he also isnโt a revolving door like Dallas is used to having on the perimeter.
Blake is also a guy who fits well in the Mavsโ culture. They want smart players, unselfish players and veterans are preferred. Blake can satisfy all three of those requirements without flinching.
He can even do some of what Jose Calderon did for Dallas last season. Calderon knew how to get others involved, keep a level head and run the offense smoothly. He was a guy who had been there before and was content playing a background role in the offense.
Blake might not be the same shooter or distributor Calderon was, but heโs faster and has a similar mental approach to the game. He can step into some of the Calderon role from day one and do so rather smoothly.
And the best part about him as a Calderon replacement is that he might even be able to play a smidge of defense. What a lovely thought.
Xavier Henry
For the first three years of his NBA career, it looked pretty clear that Xavier Henry was a bust. After having been drafted 12th overall by Memphis in 2010, he never averaged more than 5.3 points per game before joining the Lakers this past season.
In Los Angeles, he had something of a rejuvenation. He showed flashes of the skills that made him a lottery pick after one year at Kansas and went on to average 10 points per game.
But his season was cut short thanks to wrist and knee injuries, as he was only able to play 43 games.
Though his injuries are sad, in the Mavericksโ case they might be a blessing.
Henry showed last season that even though heโs probably not the NBA stud people thought he might be, he can still play a role for an NBA team. He can shoot reasonably well at 34.6 percent from beyond the arc last year, and his athleticism makes him a decent wing defender.
His scoring chops are also relatively impressive, as his 10 points per game translates to 17.1 per 36 minutes.
Oh, and Henry is still only 23.
Normally someone like Henry would fetch a good amount on the open market. But with his injuries, the Lakersโ woes last season and his poor track record before he broke out, the market on him shouldnโt be too great. In fact just a couple of weeks ago, Nick Borges of ESPN.com (subscription required)ย reported that itโs likely Henry would re-sign with the Lakers for the minimum because free-agency interest in him is low.
For a minimal investment, the Mavs might be able to snag a decent young wing defender with some scoring ability and upside. Itโs tough to do much better than that in the bargain bin.
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