NBA Free Agents: Vince Carter Doesn't Address Dallas Mavericks' True Needs

According to sources, free agent Vince Carter has signed with the NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks recently let shooting guard Caron Butler walk, and in turn they have signed the aging former Phoenix Suns guard.

The problem is that the Mavericks are not getting any younger, and the addition of a 34-year-old Carter, as well as a 32-year-old Lamar Odom, is just not the right direction. Both guys could likely assist in adding 10 points or so a game. There were not too many options in this free-agency class left, but these moves seem to be putting the Mavericks over the wrong hump—age.

With a team made up of Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Jason Kidd, Brandan Haywood and Jason Terry, one would think that the Mavericks would start making some moves for their future.

They did acquire shooting guard Rudy Fernandez, and he will likely come in as a useful peace with Butler's departure. That is if they don't move him.

The addition of Carter is a fine piece to add with championship aspirations for next season, but it doesn't address the real issues this team has going into the 2011-12 season. 

Besides for age being an issue, the Mavericks should really be focusing on acquiring a new center to replace Tyson Chandler, who recently signed with the New York Knicks. The addition of Odom already settles the need for a flexible option at the small and power forward positions, but the Mavericks still lack a true backup to both Nowitzki and Haywood.

If one of those guys happen to go down, where will the Mavericks turn?

The Mavericks did re-sign Brian Cardinal, but that doesn't really help their loss as Cardinal doesn't represent anything more than garbage minutes.

The Mavericks really need to focus on adding size, rather than expanding their mid-size depth.

The Mavs will need to do something to increase their depth at the center position. Perhaps they will look to move Marion, as his contract stands at nearly $8 million this season. They certainly have made the moves this offseason to make him expendable.

The Mavericks are making moves to improve their team, but the champs need to make a move to attain a big man to have enough depth to make another championship run.