My Take On a Larry Sanders, Maverick Union
Earlier today, Larry Sanders put two polls out on Twitter asking his followers which team would utilize his "skills" the best. One poll included the Warriors, Cavs, Knicks, and Celtics. The other had the Bucks (his former team), the Lakers, the Heat, and yes, the Dallas Mavericks as options. Now, does this mean these teams are interested in bringing the retired 27-year-old center into their training camp? Not necessarily, but maybe the Mavs are.
Dallas still has three spots open for training camp, and the center slot could still use some depth bolstering. Dallas was reportedly "cautiously interested" in bringing in Larry Sanders around the 2015 trade deadline, but nothing came to fruition as the injury-prone, depressed center decided to continue to work on his personal issues in retirement. Now, however, Sanders is hoping for a comeback.
In 5 season in Milwaukee, Sanders averaged 6.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. He showed that he could really contribute to a good up and coming team, and at only 27 years old, he should have a lot of that talent left. If you haven't heard Larry Sanders' reasoning on retiring, you should watch this, you'll likely be rooting for him afterwards.
Sanders should (you never know with the money being thrown around this summer) be given a minimum contract no matter where he goes, and he would likely still have to prove himself in the preseason to even be considered for an NBA roster spot. If he wants a shot at a ring, he'll likely go to Golden State or Cleveland. If he wants to play for a big market, he would end up in LA, Miami, New York. If he wants a chance to develop the right way and contribute to a good team, he should either go to Boston, Milwaukee, or Dallas.
Larry Sanders could be the number one backup behind new Celtic Al Horford in Boston.
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Here's the thing, Dallas already kind of tried this experiment. Last year, JaVale McGee was brought in as a reclamation project for the Mavs. Many, including me, expected McGee to compete with Zaza for the starting center spot in Dallas. After that didn't happen, many expected McGee to be able to be the second string center to bring a spark into the lineup. After that didn't happen, many expected to see McGee come in from time to time to bring a pick and roll threat to the less-than-flashy lineup Dallas rolled with. After that didn't happen, McGee became an end of the bench guy that almost never even suited up for the Mavs. Dallas gave McGee a two year deal with a team option on the second year. That second year wasn't picked up and McGee was waived this summer.
Do you see where I'm going with this? Sanders has a lot of potential, but all that potential comes with more ifs than JaVale McGee did. McGee doesn't have the best basketball IQ, to put it nicely, but he always went hard in games. McGee was also nagged with some injuries, but Sanders' injuries are so much more nagging. Sanders also has a known drug history in the league. He made it known to everyone that he "believes in marijuana"... as Stephen A. Smith would say, "Stay off the WEEEEEEEEED". It's just not worth the possible suspensions and the lazy side affects it could have on him on the court.
On the other hand, Dallas has three centers on their roster right now: Andrew Bogut, Salah Mejri, and AJ Hammons. In Bogut, Dallas has an above-average starting center that can catch lob and protect the rim. In Salah Mejri, the Mavericks have a 30-year-old athletic second year man that still has room to improve and lots to prove. In AJ Hammons, Dallas drafted a big rookie that has first round talent, but second round effort...sometimes. Their depth is very shaky at the five slot, so a guy like Sanders could bring in some insurance if Mejri doesn't continue to grow, and if AJ doesn't give 100%. He's athletic and brings defense that Dallas could use off of the bench.
So here are my final thoughts on a possible signing of Sanders. If it's for the minimum, which it should be, I would welcome him with open arms. If we don't show any interest in him whatsoever, I would be more than okay with that as well. It's already hard enough for rookies to find playing time in Carlisle's system, and a guy like Sanders would just hinder Hammons' growth even more. If Larry Sanders is signed by Dallas, and he outperforms both Salah Mejri and AJ Hammons in the preseason and in training camp in general, there's a very real chance that Dallas cuts Mejri and opts to have Sanders as their backup and lets Hammons grow. I really don't expect Sanders to gather much interest from the Mavericks, but we'll just have to wait and see. There's a lot of offseason left.
