Gortat, Kidd, and now Marion make retooled Dallas Mavericks a contender

July 08 09

Breaking news mixed with analysis …

Their News: “Dallas is hoping that the combination of Marion and Orlando restricted free agent Marcin Gortat ---along with the re-signing of Jason Kidd ---would greatly improve the depth and flexibility possessed by a team that won 50 games last season and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Denver.” (ESPN.com, Marc Stein)

Our Very Quick Analysis: Right now, Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Denver are the favorites in the Western Conference. After all, the Lakers have ‘Ron-Ron’, the Spurs can roll out ‘The Big Four’, and the Nuggets will likely build on their successful 2009.

Following an impressive summer and playoff, the Dallas Mavericks could be nipping at the heels of these teams. Here’s the question: is Team Cuban returning to prominence?

A celebratory June appearance on The David Letterman Show is unlikely for renegade owner Mark Cuban. While not quite an elite team, Dallas deserves credit for retooling Dirk Nowitzki’s supporting cast instead of rebuilding by trading away the former MVP.

Staying competitive and relevant is better than dealing your star and making annual trips to New Jersey for the draft lottery.

It started when the club kept free agent Jason Kidd. Sure, three years and $25 million for a 36-year old point guard is a risk. Still, Cuban felt retaining the Hall of Famer’s passing and leadership was worth an extra year on the back-end of his contract.

Then they tendered restricted free agent Marcin Gortat a five-year deal for the Mid Level Exception. The Magic won’t match the offer sheet because of cap issues, so the Mavericks now have a physical post, who can rebound, defend, and handle either a starting or reserve role.

Nothing is official, but today ESPN is reporting Dallas is on the verge of acquiring ‘The Matrix’ in a three team sign-and-trade with Memphis and Toronto. While Shawn Marion’s game has slipped a notch, he fits as a co-star next to Josh Howard, Nowitzki and pass-first ’J-Kidd’, especially if he comes at an $8 million salary.

Don’t forget about Dallas in 2010. They’re deep and strong defensively. Retooling around Nowitzki, not rebuilding was the key.

Got thoughts on the Mavericks’ getting Marion? What about their off-season? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of airstrikemike.

13 Comments: Gortat, Kidd, and now Marion make retooled Dallas Mavericks a (...)

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Posted by

on 07.12.2009

Kidd and, Howard starting on the Backcourt... Gortat in the middle... Marion and Nowitzki up front... Terry will play off the bench coz I feel like Howard can handle playing the 2-guard... if he encounters any trouble, Terry is there to save his ass... With J-Kidd running the show... Howard and Marion waiting on the wing, Dirk being all over the court and Gortat doing the dirty stuff... the Mavs could really bring it even against the defending champs... Problem is, after Terry... there’s virtually nothing in the bench.... they need to put up some solid guys on that bench... .

Posted by
CELTICS 2010 nba champs
on 07.11.2009

so who starts who sits???? kidd, terry, marion, nowitzki, gortat??kidd, howard, marion. nowitzki, gortat?kidd, terry, howard, marion, nowitzki?what the heck!!! they dont have a true shooting guard... .

Posted by
TheGermanator
on 07.11.2009

Keep Damp till atleast February. His contract is so huge that we should be able to trade for a star from a team that’s looking to save $ since his huge contract expires that year. Ex) Joe Johnson, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, etc .

Posted by
gm 4 hire
on 07.11.2009

Honestly I feel Dallas should try to trade Josh howard, Caroll and Barea to Philly for elton brand! The numbers will match up and they could really run the west with Brand, Dirk, Marion, terry,Kidd and ross, Gortat coming off the bench! They would cause match up problems from hell! Lets face it they have limited time to do it so they might as well go out on a limb! Philly has nothing to lose they will be gaining two young studs in Barea and Howard plus Speights would move right in to that 4 spot for philly!What do yall think/ .

Posted by
melo boy
on 07.10.2009

rohn: denver beat dallas 7 of the 8 times last season without any trouble! Dallas aint shit. Denvers gonna spank them again when they meet this year in the playoffs. and dallas isnt in the lakers league .

Posted by
ronh
on 07.10.2009

Dallas is the 4 best team in the west. They can’t beat the lakers spurs or nuggets. .

Posted by

on 07.9.2009

dallas is done! .

Posted by

on 07.9.2009

dallas has improved. they can take \denver now .

Posted by
Northern Touch
on 07.9.2009

I like the move, it does solidify them as a contender . However, with that said I agree with Snika, I think it extends the gap between them and the teams behind them but doesn’t move them ahead of anyone. I think a second round loss is in the works again. .

Posted by
Snika
on 07.9.2009

I like what the Mavs have done... I’m glad they didn’t just cut their losses of trading Devin Harris. Stick with Kidd, he still has the best court vision in the game. I can’t imagine Dirk, Howard, Kidd, Terry, Marion, and Gortat NOT succeeding this year. But with every elite team getting better, they might not make it much past what they did this year. .

Posted by

on 07.9.2009

I think there are some good pieces. However, the mavs are a bit old and need to add youth as well around Dirk!!!! .

Posted by
40inchleaper
on 07.8.2009

i think the Mavs need to acquire more defensive-minded players. Shawn Marion is a nice addition. Dampier should be dumped now or slip back to the bench. gortat is decent, but he’s not yet enough to man-up the post. go get another post player. and also the key for the mavs to get back to elite status is to shake up their bench except Jason terry. .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Gortat, Kidd, and now Marion make retooled Dallas Mavericks a contender

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