The Dallas Mavericks are currently razor thin in their back court, resulting in the team taking center stage in various rumors as the Offseason nears. Earlier today we covered the team’s interest in Jrue Holiday and why it may not be the best approach for the Mavericks to take. Whether it’s Holiday or not, the Mavericks need to do something. Spencer Dinwiddie and Dante Exum are set to be free agents and Kyrie Irving will be out until at least January, leaving Brandon Williams and Jaden Hardy as the only two roster-locks to run the offense. Even if Dallas brings back both Dinwiddie and Exum, it’s not a stretch to say that isn’t the final solution.
Holiday is not the only name in the mix, of course, with Mavs Moneyball’s own Gracie Villiard making a case for Dennis Schroder (her article will be live tomorrow), for example. Schroder would likely be an ideal fit in his own right, but signs are pointing to Detroit wanting to re-sign him. If Holiday is not ideal and Schroder is not available, Chris Paul deserves a long look.
It’s almost unfathomable to suggest the notion of Chris Paul, Maverick. Purely based on conversations that I’ve been part of, there does not seem to be a tremendous amount of love for Paul coming from Mavs Nation. If you’re ambivalent toward him, you may not be able to rationalize picking up a player who is currently age 40 to solve your most glaring need! Assuming one can get past those potential hang-ups, Paul suddenly looks like an obvious choice.
In San Antonio this season, Paul not only played in, but also started, all 82 Regular Season games. This is a feat he accomplished only one other time in his career, back in 2014-15. Again, he is currently 40 years old. His scoring numbers were a career low 8.8 points per game last season, but he still dished 7.4 assists per game and grabbed 3.6 rebounds per game in only 28 minutes per night. Paul’s runway for an elusive championship is as short as it has ever been and he’s going to make a choice this Off Season to either give up the chase, or find a team that gives him the best chance.
While some would argue staying in San Antonio is a worthy idea, he may no longer be a fit. The Spurs picked up De’Aaron Fox prior to the Trade Deadline this February and also have Stephon Castle and the #2 Pick in the upcoming Draft. If that pick becomes Dylan Harper, Paul’s playing time with the Spurs may be non-existent. On the other side of the equation, the Mavericks are in win-now mode while also holding the #1 Pick in the coming Draft. It does not seem to be a stretch to think Paul could be an affordable pick-up and an effective stop-gap until Irving returns. From there, he would be the first back-up off the bench, getting meaningful minutes without over-taxing himself, while also allowing Irving to gradually increase his minutes post-injury. Add to that the knowledge base he could share with everyone on the team, specifically young guard Brandon Williams and likely newcomer Cooper Flagg, and there is a lot to like about the idea of Chris Paul in a Mavericks’ uniform.
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