Dallas Mavericks Blog – Page 19 – NBA Blog

On Mavericks big-man Dwight Powell

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on Mavs forward-center Dwight Powell, who plays solid basketball when given some minutes, but still faces an uphill battle to get increased playing time:

The big question regarding Powell is whether or not he can continue to prosper in a reserve role. It’s unlikely that he will become a regular starter in the coming season, given the Mavericks’ makeup. He’ll be playing behind DeAndre Jordan, Harrison Barnes and Dirk Nowitzki on the front line, which puts him in competition with Salah Mejri, Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith for playing time. What the Mavericks need is for Powell to continue to be a rebounding beast per minute played, like he was at the end of last season. If he does that, his offense will continue to come and playing time will not be a problem.

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In Dallas, all eyes on Luka Doncic

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on Mavs rookie Luka Doncic, who will have the attention of much of the basketball world, let alone the city of Dallas:

A leap of faith.

That’s what Mavericks fans are taking when it comes to prized draft pick Luka Doncic.

He’s 19 years old. He’s been a professional in Europe for four years. He’s been an MVP at that level.

And virtually nobody in Dallas knows anything about him.

All that fans can really do is bank on the wisdom of owner Mark Cuban, president Donnie Nelson and coach Rick Carlisle.

Even a lot of the Mavericks’ players have yet to get a pulse on how good Doncic can be. Though he technically came in a trade with Atlanta, he’s the highest-drafted rookie (third) the franchise has had since Jason Kidd was taken second in 1994. But Kidd was a more known commodity.

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On new Mavs center DeAndre Jordan

Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on new Mavericks center DeAndre Jordan. The former Clipper is an interesting addition to the Mavs, who are rebuilding yet are giving Jordan big money to help boost their win total for one season. Whether he’ll be on the team beyond 2018-19 remains to be seen:

The Mavericks were challenged in the rebounding department, so having Jordan should immediately help that shortcoming. He also will help their offensive efficiency as he’s led the league in effective field-goal percentage five times in the last six seasons. It’ll come down to how well Jordan and Dennis Smith Jr. mesh in the pick and roll, which figures to be an even bigger part of the Mavericks’ system this year. Luka Doncic working with Jordan is intriguing, too. And you might even see the high-low post of Dirk Nowitzki and Jordan. The bottom line is that having Jordan opens up a whole new array of options for coach Rick Carlisle.

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On Devin Harris rejoining the Mavericks

Devin Harris recently rejoined the Mavericks. As the team rebuilds, Harris will likely play a backup role, to younger players who may be a part of the team’s future. Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting on his return:

It’s doubtful Harris would have returned to the roster had Yogi Ferrell not changed his mind after orally agreeing to a two-year, $5.3 million deal. He will back up both guard positions and serve as mentor in a crowded backcourt that includes starters Dennis Smith Jr. and Luka Doncic, J.J. Barea, Wesley Matthews and Jalen Brunson.

As of opening night, Harris will have played 10 of his 15 seasons in Dallas.

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Mavericks re-sign forward Jalen Jones

Jalen Jones transferred schools in college, went undrafted, did big things in the G League, saw limited time with the Mavericks last season, and is returning to to Dallas in 2018-19. The Mavs re-signed him today.

The 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward saw action in 12 games for the Mavericks last season averaging 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 13.5 minutes per game after Dallas was awarded his two-way contract via a waiver claim on Jan. 10, 2018. He most recently competed for the Mavericks at the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League in Las Vegas where he averaged 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 20.8 minutes in five games.

After going undrafted in 2016 out of Texas A&M, Jones spent the 2016-17 season with the G League’s Maine Red Claws. In 46 games (all starts) for the Red Claws, he averaged 21.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steal and 36.0 minutes per game en route to earning NBA G League Third Team honors and being named to the 2017 G League All-Star Team.

A native of Dallas, Jones began his college career at SMU before transferring to Texas A&M after his sophomore season. Jones was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the coaches as a junior and the All-SEC First Team by the coaches during his senior campaign. As a senior for the Aggies in 2015-16, he averaged 15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 27.3 minutes per game in 33 games (28 starts).

Mavericks waive Terry Larrier

The Dallas Mavericks waived forward Terry Larrier today.

The move is not a surprise. Larrier was a longshot to get a regular season contract.

The 6-foot-8, 195-pound native of Bronx, N.Y. went undrafted as an early-entry candidate in the 2018 NBA Draft. He competed in six total summer league games for the Memphis Grizzlies (4 games) and the Mavericks (2 games) and averaged 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per contest.

Larrier native began his career at Virginia Commonwealth University before transferring to the University of Connecticut as a sophomore. Before declaring for the draft, Larrier averaged 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 34.0 minutes in 29 games (28 starts) as a junior.

He was originally signed by the Mavericks on July 31, 2018.

Once again, Devin Harris joins Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks signed free agent guard Devin Harris today.

Harris (6-3, 185) will return for his third stint with the Mavericks in 2018-19. He played in 71 games (one start) for Dallas and Denver last season, averaging 8.4 points and 2.1 assists in 18.9 minutes per game. He was traded by the Mavericks to the Nuggets on Feb. 8, 2018, as part of a three-team trade-deadline deal that sent Doug McDermott from New York to Dallas, Emmanuel Mudiay from Denver to New York, a 2018 second-round pick from the Knicks to the Nuggets, and a 2018 second-round pick from the Nuggets to the Mavericks.

The 14-year veteran holds career averages of 11.1 points, 4.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 25.0 minutes in 917 games (446 starts) with Dallas, New Jersey, Utah, Atlanta and Denver. He moved into 10th place on the Mavericks’ all-time games played list (540) in 2017-18, and also ranks eighth in franchise history in steals (524).

Harris enjoyed his best season as a pro in 2008-09 when he averaged career highs in points (21.3), rebounds (3.3), assists (6.9), steals (1.7) and minutes (36.1) in 69 games (all starts) for New Jersey en route to earning Eastern Conference All-Star honors.

Dallas originally acquired Harris from Washington, along with Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner, in a draft-day trade for Antawn Jamison on June 24, 2004. He played for the Mavericks from 2004-08 and was an integral part of the 2005-06 Western Conference championship team. The 6-3 guard was traded from Dallas to New Jersey on Feb. 19, 2008, in a deal that brought Jason Kidd to the Mavericks.

Harris returned for his second stint with Dallas after signing with the team as a free agent on July 31, 2013. He then re-signed with the club on July 17, 2014.

The Milwaukee native was named 2003-04 Big Ten Player of the Year at Wisconsin where he broke Michael Finley’s single-season scoring record with 624 points (19.5 ppg) in his junior season. He was also named Second Team All-America by the Associated Press.

Mavericks sign Ryan Broekhoff

The Dallas Mavericks signed free agent guard/forward Ryan Broekhoff today.

Until we hear otherwise, we will assume the deal is a non-guaranteed contract that merely brings Broekhoff to Mavs training camp.

Broekhoff (6-7, 215) spent the last five seasons playing professionally in Turkey and Russia, including the most recent three with Russia’s PBC Lokomotiv Kuban. In 16 VTB United League games for Loko last season, he averaged 8.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. In 16 EuroCup games for Loko in 2017-18, he averaged 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists en route to earning All-EuroCup First Team honors.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Broekhoff attended the Australian Institute of Sport before going on to play four years at Valparaiso (2009-13). As a junior in 2011-12, he averaged 14.8 points, a league-high 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists on his way to being named the Horizon League Player of the Year. As a senior in 2012-13, Broekhoff averaged a career-high 15.7 points to go along with 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists while leading the Crusaders to a berth in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

Broekhoff is a member of the Australian national team. He averaged 7.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the Boomers at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Mavericks waive Chinanu Onuaku

The Dallas Mavericks waived center Chinanu Onuaku today.

Onuaku (6-10, 245) was acquired by Dallas from Houston in exchange for the rights to Maarty Leunen on Aug. 2. In the deal, the Mavericks also received cash considerations and the right to swap Golden State’s 2020 second round pick (acquired by Dallas on 7/7/16) with the Rockets.

Onuaku was drafted by Houston in the second round (37th overall) of the 2016 NBA Draft. In two seasons with the Rockets, he averaged 3.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 12.3 minutes in six career games (one start). In four games for Houston in the 2018 MGM Resorts Summer League in Las Vegas, he averaged 5.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 11.8 minutes per game while shooting .500 from the floor and .833 from the line.

The Lanham, Md., native played two years at the University of Louisville before declaring as an early-entry candidate in the 2016 NBA Draft. As a sophomore, Onuaku averaged 9.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.0 blocks in 24.6 minutes per game for the Cardinals and earned All-ACC Defensive Team and All-ACC Honorable Mention.

Mavericks re-sign Salah Mejri

The Dallas Mavericks have re-signed Salah Mejri.

Mejri, a 7-foot-2, 235-pound center, was originally signed by the Mavericks as a free agent on July 30, 2015 and spent the last three seasons in Dallas. He holds career averaged of 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 block and 12.1 minutes in 168 games (18 starts). He led the Mavericks in both field goal percentage and blocks each of the past two seasons and has five career double-doubles.

Before joining the Mavericks, Mejri played for Real Madrid where he briefly teamed with the 2018 NBA Draft’s third overall pick and Dallas rookie, Luka Doncic. While playing with Real, he won both a Spanish League title and a Euroleague Championship.

The native of Jendouba, Tunisia, Mejri was also a member of the Tunisian National Team that competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The team secured its bid to the London Olympics by winning the 2011 FIBA African Championships where Mejri was named Most Valuable Player.