The Dallas Mavericks have been one of the teams that is planning to go hard after Dwight Howard and since they have the number 13 pick in the draft, the team feels it can make moves to get him, but if they sit tight there will be some great players available, including names like Shabazz Muhammad and Michael Carter-Williams.
The Mavericks have a number of moves they can make and while they feel that they can trade picks to get Howard, they also can sit tight and try to lure him in other ways, including by signing Monta Ellis to a free agent contract. Ellis just opted out of his contract with the Bucks and is set to get a solid free agent contract and one target could be the Mavericks, as Ellis and Howard have expressed an interest in playing together.
Owner Mark Cuban is prepared to go hard after Howard this year and one thing that could sway him is also to go after Ellis, which according to ESPN.com, could be a fit for both sides. Ellis averaged nearly 20 points per game last season and if they miss out on the top tier free agents, he could be a good option. Ellis had some issues shooting from long range and while he has some defensive issues, he might be the best out of a crop that the Mavericks are looking to sign, including names like Jarrett Jack and Nate Robinson. Ellis was set to make $11 million next season before opting out and if the Mavericks were willing to get close to that, he could sign there.
The team has decisions to make about trades and Howard, as the number 13 pick could actually net the team something solid for the future and ESPN reports that the pick will likely be a point guard if they stick with it. Michael Carter-Williams is a name that has been tied to the Mavericks and the team could also possibly go after UCLA star Shabazz Muhammad, who is moving up boards as the draft gets closer. The team needs some young talent to develop and if they stick with the pick, chances are at least one of these players will be there still. The team likes the skill set of Carter-Williams and the team could also trade down for another pick and take a point guard later.
Cuban is ready to spend and he also spoke about the Spurs loss in Game 6, saying that it was like the loss suffered by the Texas Rangers in the World Series when they were one strike away from the Cardinals. Of course, the Cardinals won the championship. The Mavericks are ready to improve next season after going 41-41 and Cuban is ready to spend finally after winning the championship two years ago. The team ranked eighth in scoring, but were 27th in points allowed per game and they will need to improve there to get better next season.
