The longest period of the NBA summer is probably August, as free agency has almost completely stalled and training camp is still over two months away.
This August will fly by due of the Olympics, but the Dallas Mavericks have also made a few changes that supporters are enthused about.
While Dallas’ signing of Spencer Dinwiddie was one of the more underappreciated moves of the summer, the team made another move a few days ago that may have far-reaching consequences.
Mavericks Signing Sharp applies pressure on Powell to improve.
Dallas signed Jamarion Sharp to a deal last week, and while the 7-foot-5 centre is unlikely to make the 15-man roster and will instead spend the season in the G League with the Texas Legends, this move puts extra pressure on one veteran to perform well.
Dwight Powell was already rumoured to be on the trading block if he doesn’t improve this season, and Sharp’s addition adds even more pressure on him to perform well this season.
Powell began last season as a backup five, but he dropped down the depth chart as the season progressed when the Mavs acquired Daniel Gafford. By the conclusion of the year, Powell was the fourth-string centre behind Dereck Lively II, Gafford, and Maxi Kleber, which is an odd situation for him given his annual salary of $4 million.
Powell went from being the team’s starting centre the previous season to being practically unplayable last season, and the Mavs signing Sharp puts him in a difficult situation.
Sharp is an excellent shot blocker and an interesting young prospect, and his size alone indicates defensive anchor potential. He’ll need to grow some strength to compete with the NBA’s finest big men, but his raw shot-blocking talent is interesting.
Sharp averaged 3.7 blocks per game in college, making it difficult for anyone attempting to approach the rim. Sharp’s presence forces teams to play differently, and his impact as a defender is significant.
Offensively, Sharp is usually available for a dump-off pass, which frequently results in a slam, despite the fact that he is not the most gifted scorer at the moment. He thrives at creating second-chance opportunities for himself, and his offensive rebounding ability is vastly underestimated.
Sharp may develop some moves with his back to the hoop as he matures, and he also demonstrated a nice mid-range shot from the baseline during college.
Sharp was a member of Dallas’ Summer League team and might finish up with the Mavs’ final two-way berth if he has a strong training camp. His signing a two-way contract would put even more pressure on Powell to perform well, as Sharp would have few opportunities to showcase his talent against NBA opposition.
Sharp appears to be the most likely candidate to spend the majority of next season with the Legends, and even then, he may find himself trailing Powell. Powell has two years left on his contract, and with the Mavs always looking to get younger, Sharp might be someone they want on their 15-man roster to play alongside Lively II and Gafford. Powell is already 33 years old, and his play appears to be diminishing.
That would be a terrifying three-headed monster at centre, and Sharp’s progress will be an under-the-radar narrative to watch next season.
Leave a Reply