Dallas made a bold move this summer by trading for Santi Aldama, and the deal looks even smarter now that Memphis Grizzlies moved AJ Johnson before he ever stepped on the court for them. This quick flip validates the Mavericks’ decision to walk away from the young guard after just 23 games. It wasn’t a panic reaction; it was a calculated adjustment when the numbers on the film didn’t match the roster’s needs. The Grizzlies clearly saw the same issues Dallas did, which is why they didn’t hesitate to move on. In return for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, and two second-round picks, the New Orleans Pelicans acquired Johnson and Taj Gibson from Memphis. According to reports, this swap gave the Grizzlies a former lottery pick and a young player with real potential, while New Orleans gets immediate depth.
Johnson Was Never a Fit
The stats tell the whole story for Johnson’s time in Dallas. He averaged just 3.9 points per game while shooting a terrible 32.3 percent from the field. His long-range shooting was even worse at 15.6 percent, which made him a bad fit for a team that needed more 3-pointers. Defending either guard position is difficult for him due to his 6-foot-5 skinny frame, and he is not a good enough playmaker to run the point or lacks the skills to play the wing effectively. He appears to be years from becoming a rotation player in the NBA, but the Mavs needed immediate help in the frontcourt, and Aldama provides that size and shooting ability. He complements Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford perfectly. Their center rotation had no shooting before, and Aldama brings a needed change of pace that unlocks the entire offense.
Roster Math Makes Sense
The roster is getting crowded, and the team has to make tough choices. Eddie Sefko published a depth chart that shows the team has “too many players for too few spots.” Masai Ujiri, the president, and general manager Mike Schmitz still have time to move pieces before camp begins. Coach Dusty May knows the answers will come from watching the group play together. He told 105.3 The Fan on Sept. 3 that they have a lot of puzzles to solve. “We have a lot of pieces and how they work, who plays well together,” May said. The team has a lot of weapons to figure out, but does that versatility translate to winning? “When you look at just the positional versatility we have, even with our young guys, Coop can play a number of positions,” May continued. This depth gives the team hope they can win any type of game. Dirk Nowitzki is also back in the fold to help guide the future. He noted that he has “already had some discussions” with Masai Ujiri regarding the team. Dirk said that Ujiri wants him to “be a part of the Mavericks.” This reunion could help the front office avoid bad moves and build a champion. With training camp approaching, the front office has to finalize the rotation before the regular season tip-off.
