Predicting the Dallas Mavericks' Final 15-Man Roster for 2015-16

Predicting the Dallas Mavericks' Final 15-Man Roster for 2015-16

By Chipper Murphy

October 24, 2015

Predicting the Dallas Mavericks' Final 15-Man Roster for 2015-16

Dallas Mavericks — In case you were living under a rock this summer, the Dallas Mavericks thought DeAndre Jordan was going to be playing for them this season. When they lost out on him, they dipped significantly. Dirk's getting older, they overpaid Wes Matthews coming off a major surgery, and Deron Williams is washed up. They did need a point guard though. Their biggest asset this year? They have one of the best coaches around, Rick Carlisle.

In case you were living under a rock this summer, the Dallas Mavericks thought DeAndre Jordan was going to be playing for them this season. When they lost out on him, they dipped significantly. Dirk's getting older, they overpaid Wes Matthews coming off a major surgery, and Deron Williams is washed up. They did need a point guard though. Their biggest asset this year? They have one of the best coaches around, Rick Carlisle.

Point Guard - Deron Williams, J.J. Barea, Raymond Felton

Deron Williams Dallas Mavericks

Point Guard - Deron Williams, J.J. Barea, Raymond Felton

Deron Williams Dallas Mavericks — Deron Williams pulls a good game out of his hat about once every two or three weeks. For the most part, he is done as a significant contributor to an NBA team though. They should expect to be disappointed by him and for him to get hurt at some point. Barea is a Dallas lifer who steps in whenever they need him. Somehow he is just better when playing for Dallas. Felton is Felton. Hopefully they don't need him.

Deron Williams pulls a good game out of his hat about once every two or three weeks. For the most part, he is done as a significant contributor to an NBA team though. They should expect to be disappointed by him and for him to get hurt at some point. Barea is a Dallas lifer who steps in whenever they need him. Somehow he is just better when playing for Dallas. Felton is Felton. Hopefully they don't need him.

Shooting Guard - Wesley Matthews, Devin Harris, John Jenkins

Wesley Matthews Dallas Mavericks

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Shooting Guard - Wesley Matthews, Devin Harris, John Jenkins

Wesley Matthews Dallas Mavericks — Hopefully Wes Matthews is healthy. Mark Cuban says he is. They lost a lot when Monta Ellis walked, so they need his scoring, especially with the intended minutes reduction for Dirk this season. Devin Harris is another Dallas lifer. They love him there. John Jenkins looked great in the preseason and could find himself getting serious minutes on a bad team.

Hopefully Wes Matthews is healthy. Mark Cuban says he is. They lost a lot when Monta Ellis walked, so they need his scoring, especially with the intended minutes reduction for Dirk this season. Devin Harris is another Dallas lifer. They love him there. John Jenkins looked great in the preseason and could find himself getting serious minutes on a bad team.

Small Forward - Chandler Parsons, Justin Anderson

Chandler Parsons Dallas Mavericks

Small Forward - Chandler Parsons, Justin Anderson

Chandler Parsons Dallas Mavericks — Chandler Parsons shot the ball very well last year. I think Dallas is hoping he can score more this season. He only averaged 15 points last year. They would probably hope he can get himself to that 18- to 20-point range this season. Anderson is a rookie who needs time to develop.

Chandler Parsons shot the ball very well last year. I think Dallas is hoping he can score more this season. He only averaged 15 points last year. They would probably hope he can get himself to that 18- to 20-point range this season. Anderson is a rookie who needs time to develop.

Power Forward - Dirk Nowitzki, Charlie Villanueva, Jeremy Evans, Dwight Powell

Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks

Power Forward - Dirk Nowitzki, Charlie Villanueva, Jeremy Evans, Dwight Powell

Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks — With Dirk's minutes going down this year, there will be plenty of minutes to be had. He will still be the last "4" on the court, but someone else has to step up. Right now, this is the depth chart. Charlie Villanueva will be second on the depth chart to begin the season because Carlisle will have the most trust in him. I think Powell, although the most unproven now, will get the shot to be the long-term backup.

With Dirk's minutes going down this year, there will be plenty of minutes to be had. He will still be the last "4" on the court, but someone else has to step up. Right now, this is the depth chart. Charlie Villanueva will be second on the depth chart to begin the season because Carlisle will have the most trust in him. I think Powell, although the most unproven now, will get the shot to be the long-term backup.

Center - Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee, Salah Mejri

Zaza Pachulia Dallas Mavericks

Center - Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee, Salah Mejri

Zaza Pachulia Dallas Mavericks — After losing Jordan, Dallas had to scramble for a center. They could have done a lot worse than Zaza Pachulia. He's an exceptional defensive player, one of the most underrated in the league. He's another big who has a solid mid-range jumper and is a good rebounder. The problem at the position is depth. If he goes down, Dallas will have issues.

After losing Jordan, Dallas had to scramble for a center. They could have done a lot worse than Zaza Pachulia. He's an exceptional defensive player, one of the most underrated in the league. He's another big who has a solid mid-range jumper and is a good rebounder. The problem at the position is depth. If he goes down, Dallas will have issues.

Chipper Murphy is a Beat Writer for the New York Knicks on www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy. “Like” him on Facebook.

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