Mavs Moneyball - Free Agency Stream: Your guards are not safe, because Dallas is signing them allRick Carlisle approved.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50869/mmb-fav.png2013-07-15T13:00:23-05:00http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/rss/stream/42491252013-07-15T13:00:23-05:002013-07-15T13:00:23-05:00Brand signs with Hawks
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<p>The Mavs backup center from last season has decided to join the Hawks on a 1-year contract.</p> <p>I was probably the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2012/7/10/3149946/making-a-case-for-elton-brand">biggest Elton Brand cheerleader/supporter</a> last season. I whined <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/1/7/3849754/mavericks-meltdown-again-this-time-in-utah-fall-100-94">when he played only 20 minutes</a> and was generally in a foul mood whenever the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> lost a close game and he wasn't in the closing lineup with Dirk.</p>
<p>For all my bellyaching, Brand wasn't even all that, well, great last season. He worked his ass off, battled hard but deep down, his season was very "meh." Even so, it would have been nice if the Mavs could have retained the backup big, but alas, he's heading to Atlanta. <a href="http://hoopshype.com/blogs/sierra/elton-brand-to-sign-with-hawks" target="_blank">His agent confirmed it today:</a></p>
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<p>Free agent forward <span>Elton Brand</span> is signing a one-year deal with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Hawks</a>, agent David Falk told HoopsHype.</p>
<p>"We think it's a great opportunity for him," Falk said. "I can see him playing 4-5 more years because Elton is serious about his conditioning and, besides, he plays more with his head than his body at this point. Atlanta is a good fit and Elton will be a good veteran presence there."</p>
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<p>It's sad to see Brand go. He really fought hard in Dallas, despite his athletic gifts departing him. He was the only Mavs big that was worth a damn on defense or on the boards. But, he also posted a 15.2 PER, a true-shooting percentage under 50 and the Mavs defense was still fairly bad whether he was on or off the court, according to NBA.com.</p>
<p>That wasn't all Brand's fault, who had to account for all the defensive mistakes <span>Darren Collison</span>, <span>O.J. Mayo</span> and Dirk made last season. He'll be a great back up for the Hawks. I wish him well.</p>
<p>Oh and here's the Mavs conspiracy angle: "OMG WE DIDN'T SIGN BRAND THAT MUST MEAN WE GOT SOMETHING COOKING FOR ANOTHER CENTER I BET IT'S ODEN OR MAYBE IT'S WILT CHAMBERLIN #MFFL"</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/15/4525416/nba-free-agnecy-brand-agrees-to-1-year-deal-with-atlantaJosh Bowe2013-07-12T19:02:57-05:002013-07-12T19:02:57-05:00Harris deal off for now, Larkin out 2-3 months
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<p>When news breaks about the Mavericks, it breaks fast. After news that the Mavericks were signing free agent guard Monta Ellis earlier in the day, they suffered two setbacks due to injury.</p> <p>According to Marc Stein, the Mavs and <span>Devin Harris</span> have "mutually" agreed to scrap their deal because Devin Harris needs surgery for a toe injury. Harris, widely seen as a steal at 3 years, $9 million, was likely to start at the 2 before the signing of <span>Monta Ellis</span> and now, presumably, is an unrestricted free agent again.</p>
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<p>ESPN sources: Toe injury forces Mavs to shelve plan to re-sign fan favorite Devin Harris. Sides mutually agree to scrap three-year, $9M deal</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/355836195957256193">July 12, 2013</a>
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<p>Mavs' deal w/Monta Ellis and Devin Harris audible means Dallas still has wiggle room to sign big man. <span>Samuel Dalembert</span> is their top target</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/355837320672448512">July 12, 2013</a>
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<p>Story going online now: Mavs remain interested in signing Harris but surgery required expected to keep Harris out until start of reg. season</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/355836608198615041">July 12, 2013</a>
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<p>This move probably also clears cap space for the Mavs to sign Ellis AND Dalembert, so it certainly feels like there's another shoe out there of some kind waiting to drop. Especially if this is "mutual". According to Stein, the Mavs remain interested in signing Harris, but since they're not likely to get a better deal, it's unclear why the two parties would change their plans.</p>
<p><b>UPDATE</b>: The other news of the evening revolves around Mavericks first-round draft pick <span>Shane Larkin</span>, who reportedly broke his ankle in a summer league practice. The combination of these two injuries seem to shed some light on what seemed like, at first, a strange signing of Monta Ellis to an already congested Mavericks backcourt.</p>
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<p>Shane Larkin, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a>' 1st-round pick, broke his ankle in summer league practice, sources told Y! Could be out 2-3 months.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/355829914894729216">July 12, 2013</a>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/12/4519106/devin-harris-mavs-back-away-from-dealandytobo2013-07-12T14:39:24-05:002013-07-12T14:39:24-05:00Monta Ellis and Mavs close to a deal
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<figcaption>At least he's better than this guy (Mike James). | Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Thought the Mavericks have had a weird off-season? Take a deep breathe because IT'S ABOUT TO GET A LOT WEIRDER.</p> <p>The reliable Marc Stein reports that <span>Monta Ellis</span> and the Mavs are quickly closing in on a three year deal.</p>
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<p>Monta Ellis and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> closing in on a three-year deal that could rise to as much as $30 million. Deal on course to be completed today</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/355768998194974721">July 12, 2013</a>
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<p>I'm having a hard time processing this move to properly analyze it. Let's start with the positive: Monta Ellis does have a lot of talent and could fill in as the second scoring option behind Dirk -- before this signing, the Mavericks didn't have a player like that.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Monta Ellis has never been able to utilize his talent, mainly because of a dark and twisted shot selection that relies on inefficient long two-pointers that he's terrible at making. Also, he joins a backcourt that was already crowded with the signing of five guards and the drafting of two more. Oh, and he doesn't play defense.</p>
<p>Basically, the Mavs have gone full YOLO this offseason. What do y'all think?</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/12/4518426/nba-free-agency-monta-ellis-dallas-mavericks-dealTim Cato2013-07-07T09:30:04-05:002013-07-07T09:30:04-05:00Why I love the Devin Harris Signing
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<p>I am very, very happy about the Devin Harris pickup. Why? Read on!</p> <p>As I'm sitting down to write about why I think the <span>Devin Harris</span> pickup is so freaking fantastic, I'm incredibly tempted to just write:</p>
<p>"SSSQQQQQQQQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! DEVIN HAAARRRRIIIIISSSSSSSS!!!!!!"</p>
<p>Over and over and over and include these twitter tidbits (from myself) and then just leave it at that.</p>
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<p>LOVE THE HARRIS SIGNING SO MUCH (sorry I'm late guys).</p>
— Hal Brown (@andthenTimsaid) <a href="https://twitter.com/andthenTimsaid/statuses/353677632828751873">July 7, 2013</a>
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<p>Am I fanboy-ing over Devin Harris? I think I am. I'm fanboy-ing over Devin Harris.</p>
— Hal Brown (@andthenTimsaid) <a href="https://twitter.com/andthenTimsaid/statuses/353681233215111168">July 7, 2013</a>
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<p>Sorry, DEVIN HARRIS? Yes. Devin Harris.</p>
— Hal Brown (@andthenTimsaid) <a href="https://twitter.com/andthenTimsaid/statuses/353681550988161024">July 7, 2013</a>
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<p>But I won't.</p>
<p>Instead, I'll try and give you a real, honest basketball-reasons defense for why I think this is a brilliant signing.</p>
<p>The question of need is obviously essential. As I discussed in the <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/6/4498752/nba-2013-free-agency-dallas-mavericks-dwight-gone-calderon-in-where-do-the-mavs-stand">summary of the Mavericks' free agency situation up to now</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> needs were clear: solid defense and 3-Point shooting at the starter SG position and a strong, defensive Center.</p>
<p>Devin Harris addresses the SG need brilliantly. I know, he's not a great 3-point shooter. But he works anyway. Let me prove it.</p>
<p>It's pretty clear that Harris has been signed to start at SG, while spending some time as the primary ball handler so that Calderon doesn't need to exceed 29 minutes or so. The argument I'm making, essentially, is that Harris was a better choice to fill the SG spot than any other option on the market, because, certainly, Harris isn't anywhere near perfect. But he's better than anyone else might have been, by the time they chose to pick him up.</p>
<p>So, really, who was Harris' best competition for the spot? I did a poll on Twitter and got a lot of votes for <span>Nick Young</span>, <span>Gary Neal</span>, <span>Corey Brewer</span>, and especially <span>Monta Ellis</span>. From the other writers, I heard hints of <span>Wayne Ellington</span>, <span>Ronnie Brewer</span> (though it was acknowledged that he is broken), <span>Anthony Morrow</span>, and <span>Daequan Cook</span>. From EVERYONE, I heard <span>Gerald Henderson</span>. I'll get back to those guys.</p>
<p>First, the spacing and the defensive prowess that the two-guard needs to provide are roughly equally important to the Mavs' success.</p>
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<p>Offensively, right now, Calderon and Dirk and Vince off the bench are really the only major offensive threats (though they're also basically the only players). But Marion, Crowder, Larkin, and Harris himself could all be really valuable offensive weapons so long as they have enough room inside and around pick and rolls to work. Dirk and Calderon will create a ton of space just in and of themselves, but they need <i>one more shooter </i>to create the requisite space. Someone who can camp out in the corner with Dirk on the elbow and Jose at the wing, so that the <i>defense in the paint cannot collapse</i>. It's the difference between having a stagnant offense with a few sets, and having a whole wealth of options.</p>
<p>On the defensive end, having the defensive oriented two-guard is the difference between being horrific/mediocre or average/above average. With a blegh defender to pair with Calderon, the Mavs backcourt would consist of two really bad defenders and just Marion (or slightly worse, Crowder) to have to clean up the mess.</p>
<p>The frontcourt who would be trying to mitigate this disaster would be, barring a miracle than lands <span>Omer Asik</span>, Dirk and an aging defense-first guy.</p>
<p>Marion and <span>Samuel Dalembert</span> cannot defend for the Mavericks alone.</p>
<p>With a defensive SG, things begin to look much more positive.</p>
<p>The backcourt would be more full of defensive prowess than devoid of it. With two players who can defend (and with another on the bench in Crowder), for every switch or hedge that Marion/Crowder needs to make, the new guard could pick up most of the slack. As a result, it becomes much easier to do things like hide Calderon on the weak offensive player.</p>
<p>Similarly, having some old Center as only one defensive member of the frontcourt becomes significantly more tenable, since that guy would have to spend significantly less time compensating for the perimeter's mistakes.</p>
<p>Now, who out of the aforementioned list of players brings high value to both of those needs? Nick Young, Gary Neal, and ESPECIALLY Monta Ellis are <i>terrible </i>defenders. None of them can keep in front of their guy for anything. All have the tendency to get blown by, and in doing so, give up even trying to recover on the play. Monta can't even shoot the 3 well, based off of his 31% career number. Neal and Young are good shooters, but both have terrible shot selection, and so probably wouldn't even create the necessary space.</p>
<p>Ellington, Morrow, Cook, and Brewer are all better fits, in that they do one of the jobs very well, and aren't bad at the other, but none of them do <i>both </i>well<i>. </i>Cook and Morrow are both <i>outstanding </i>three-point shooters, and Ellington is pretty great himself. However, neither Ellington nor Morrow have had a season where they defended better than 109 points allowed per 100 possessions defensively, 4 worse than average, and Cook at his defensive best tied Harris at his average. Brewer has a serious gambling problem when he plays defense, but more problematically, he shoots less than 30% from 3.</p>
<p>Gerald Henderson indeed might have been awesome, but he's a restricted free agent and probably Charlotte's best player so it's not like he was gonna go anywhere anyway.</p>
<p>Devin Harris, comparatively, is not great, but is <i>pretty goddamn solid </i>at all the things the Mavs need him to be good at. I like to think of Harris as the kind of player who has way more impact than it ever <i>looks </i>like he's having.</p>
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<a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/6/4499628/instant-reaction-devin-harris-back-in-dallas-mavericks/in/4249125">
<h2>Reaction: Why Harris is Back in Dallas</h2>
<img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/16017139/20121218_pjc_aq3_048.0_standard_730.0.jpg"></a> <span>Tim Cato's (opposing) viewpoint on the Harris signing</span>
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<p>Here's my favorite stat regarding Harris' defense: he spent the entire first round of the playoffs guarding <i>Paul Freaking George</i>, and averaging more minutes per game than anyone else just to guard him, and he <i>still, </i>somehow, had the third best +/- of anyone who logged more than five minutes a game, behind only Kyle Korver and Josh Smith.</p>
<p>Remember, too, that the Hawks lost. So, everyone should have had a really bad +/- by default, <i>especially </i>the guy guarding Paul George who played 37 minutes per game. Harris' -3.3 (<i>only!?) </i>is amazing, to me.</p>
<p>Last season, by efficiency, Harris had an average season, only 105 points allowed per 100 possessions (though it's probably worth noting that that's still better than any of the suggested alternatives). However, he held opposing players to a paltry 13 PER, and with Harris on the court, the Hawks only allowed 101 points per possession to their 107 with him off the court, per NBA.com.</p>
<p>It's also probably worth noting that previously with Dallas, Harris only had one season where he logged less than 104 points allowed per 100 possessions.</p>
<p>A very valid concern, however, may be with his defense prior to last year with Atlanta, and after his years with Dallas, during his long stint as primary ball-handler and pseudo-star for the Nets. While the concern certainly makes sense, I'd argue that his role when he was with Dallas before -- but especially his role in Atlanta last season -- is much more like what his role will be like this coming season, and so those numbers are likely to be more consistent.</p>
<p>But then comes his shooting. No, he is not a deadeye shooter in the vein of Cook, Morrow, or Ellington. What he can do, however, is create space the way the Mavericks need it to be made.</p>
<p>He's a 32% career 3-point shooter. That does not inspire confidence. What should be more encouraging, though, is that two years ago he shot 36% on 3.4 3's attempted per game. Last year? 34% on closer to 4 shots per game. Those numbers aren't great, but they're <i>good enough, because Harris is smart.</i></p>
<div class="pullquote">A 28% 3-Pointer is Still More Valuable Than a 2-Pointer</div>
<p>Really quickly: the expected value of a shot is a number that says how many points that taking the shot is likely to add to your team, and it's calculated by simply multiplying the FG% by the amount of points you'll get from it. So, in his record year, a free throw from Jose Calderon would have netted an expected value of .98 points, for example.</p>
<p>Recently, someone did the math and discovered that a three-point shot with only a 28% likelihood of going in is still more valuable than the average two-pointer. Let that sink in for a moment.</p>
<p>I think, on principle, that someone shooting less than 33% from 3 is probably wasting his time by taking a 3, but as long as someone like Devin Harris chooses his shots intelligently, having him stretch the floor and shoot threes is NOT A BAD IDEA. And if he's taking 4 of them a game, and if they still add more value to the Mavericks than another shot, then defenses <i>have to account for a three-point shooting Devin Harris</i>.</p>
<p>Lo and behold, Harris adds floor spacing.</p>
<p>The key, in this case, is making sure that Harris doesn't take dumb YOLO 3's; if he does that, the percentage on his shots drops and there's no longer a need for defenses to actually defend the shot, and the entire principle is moot. But this shot chart for Harris is telling on that point:</p>
<p><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2885759/Screen_Shot_2013-07-07_at_12.06.54_AM.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Screen_shot_2013-07-07_at_12" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2885759/Screen_Shot_2013-07-07_at_12.06.54_AM_medium.png"></a> <br id="1373179601767"></p>
<p>Notice where Harris is hot, and then where he's cold, and how much he takes of each. I can only find one space, on the right wing, where he takes more bad shots than he does good ones. Look at the left corner: he actually shoots almost 50% from there (remember what I said about needing a corner shooter earlier? So yeah, Harris can do that). Notice the blue spot on the left wing? I actually find that encouraging, because it's <i>so close </i>to his hotspot in that area. He knows where his shots are strong.</p>
<p>But, most importantly, look at the relative lack of long two-pointers. That is exactly what you look for in a smart shooter, and it's the kind of decision making that creates space in and of itself.</p>
<p>In that way, Harris' three point shooting is much less of a detriment to Dallas' needs than someone else's poor defense.</p>
<p>Watch here, too. He takes one awkward off-dribble 3, but you might notice the 4.5 seconds left in the shot clock when he releases. Otherwise, he makes 4 3s in this game, and 3 of them are wide open spot ups.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GIEcvrxnIeE?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Devin Harris is such a great signing because as long as he continues to defend and shoot <i>intelligently</i>, then he<i> </i>fixes Dallas' deficiencies<i> </i>in a way that no other player on the market could, and he does it on a contract that still leaves a lot of flexibility for the rest of free agency. Then, on top of all of that, he plays a position that allows for Larkin to be considered in potential trade deals (a positive for me, if it lands someone like Asik) which opens up a world of possibilities to round out the team for these next fews weeks.</p>
<p>Welcome back Devin. It's about time.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/7/4500168/Dallas-Mavericks-2013-Free-Agency-why-i-am-giddy-about-devin-harrisHal Brown2013-07-06T21:03:29-05:002013-07-06T21:03:29-05:00Collison on the move, signing with LA Clippers
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<p>Collison played 81 games for the Mavericks last season but will not return, headed off to the Clippers.</p> <p>The starting backcourt of 2012-13 has officially dispersed. First came Mayo's three year, $24 million deal with Milwaukee, and now <span>Darren Collison</span> has departed Dallas to sign with the LA <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>.</p>
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<p>Darren Collison, I'm told, is going to the Clippers. Done deal. Two-year deal, player option in Year 2</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/353687967266639872">July 7, 2013</a>
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<p>With no sign-and-trade workable between Mavs and Clips, Collison opting to take portion of Clippers' MLE for chance to go back to LA area</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/353688471770112001">July 7, 2013</a>
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<p>This move will put Collison behind <span>Chris Paul</span> again, after being drafted and spending his first year in New Orleans (pre-Pelicans, of course).</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> never showed any interest in resigning Collison, a fact that was further shown when they signed a trio of point guards in free agency.</p>
<p>Personally, I'm happy for Collison. The Clippers offense will be much more conducive for his transition- and isolation-based game, and his defensive weaknesses won't be as noticeable with rim protection behind him. A back-up role on a good team puts him in a position to succeed much more than his role with the Mavericks did.</p>
<p>Best of luck, DC. Dust off the alley-oop pass and watch out for flying objects.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/tim_cato" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @tim_cato</a>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/6/4499902/darren-collison-leaving-dallas-for-los-angeles-clippersTim Cato2013-07-06T19:32:00-05:002013-07-06T19:32:00-05:00Reaction: Why Devin Harris? Here's why.
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<p>Although the deal might not be official, Marc Stein reports that Dallas is closing in on signing former Maverick Devin Harris. Here's an instant reaction of what it means for the team.</p> <p>Raise your hand if you had money on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> signing three straight point guards AFTER using the 18th pick on one. Yeah, that's none of you guys.</p>
<p>But as little as preparing to sign <span>Devin Harris</span> (3 years, $9 million) initially makes sense, there has to be some rational to it. Here's what I can gather from it so far.</p>
<p>+ First: At 6'3", Harris played quite a bit of shooting guard for Atlanta last season -- splitting his minutes pretty evenly between the 1 and the 2 via 82games.com. Calderon was signed as the starting point guard and will probably average about 27-30 minutes per game this coming season, assuming health (he averaged 29.6 between two teams last year), but Harris can be plugged in behind him and at the two.</p>
<p>+ Will Harris be any good at the 2? While he sported a respectable PER of 16.2 at the point last year, it fell to 13.6 as a shooting guard. His PPG, EFG%, FGA and FTA all fell -- but so did his turnovers -- making it seem like he was just less involved playing that position.</p>
<p>+ The +/- statistics do grade Harris pretty favorably. He was an overall +20 as a point guard, but it jumped to +133 at the 2. From our own Josh Bowe:</p>
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<p>For what it's worth, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> defense was better when Harris was on the court (101.1 per 100 possessions on, 107.5 off).</p>
— Josh Bowe (@Boweman55) <a href="https://twitter.com/Boweman55/statuses/353657972838244352">July 6, 2013</a>
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<p>According to <a href="http://t.co/apNiJysHCM">http://t.co/apNiJysHCM</a>, Harris had the Hawks highest net-rating at 7.3 (Off rating 105.2, def rating 97.9). Higher than Horford</p>
— Josh Bowe (@Boweman55) <a href="https://twitter.com/Boweman55/statuses/353658640193961984">July 6, 2013</a>
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<p>+ What does this mean for <span>Shane Larkin</span>? If he and Harris can play together (who's the "point guard" or "off-guard" is inconsequential in that lineup, like JJB+Kidd), then there's still room for him to play a role off the bench. However, with Mekel behind him, it also frees up Larkin to be added to a <span>Shawn Marion</span> package that the Mavericks have been trying to use to nab a center.</p>
<p>+ Unfortunately, Harris doesn't help the shooting issue -- 33.5% last year and 31.8% overall. It's too bad the Mavericks didn't trade for one of the best shooters in the league at last year's trade deadline...oh? <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3474/anthony-morrow">They did?</a> My bad.</p>
<p>+ This means no more <span>Mike James</span> next year. That's gotta be a plus...right?</p>
<p>+ Final thought: I wouldn't have done this move. It puts the draft on the back burner (yet again), leaving the Mavericks highest pick in forever without a major role to prove himself. If he's traded, that's even worse. Plus, it only worsens the spacing if Marion or, say, Kirilenko is playing the small forward. But there's always reasons why moves are made, and those above are my best guess as to why. I guess this is a good point for a cliche...time will tell.</p>
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https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/6/4499628/instant-reaction-devin-harris-back-in-dallas-mavericksTim Cato2013-07-06T18:38:41-05:002013-07-06T18:38:41-05:00Mavericks negotiating contract with Devin Harris
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<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dallas make their second major off-season move as they prepare to sign former Maverick Devin Harris, who most recently played with Atlanta.</p> <p>There's a reunion in Dallas on it's way, in the form of <span>Devin Harris</span>. Mark Stein reports that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> are in the process of signing the Atlanta guard.</p>
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<p>Hearing Devin Harris is on his way back to Dallas. Mavericks and Harris are closing in on three-year, $9+ million deal</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/353654390558699521">July 6, 2013</a>
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<p>More information is forthcoming, but the initial reaction is, "WHAT?" While the Mavericks have no centers and one shooting guard signed, Harris becomes the fourth point guard on the roster.</p>
<p>However, this move makes a little more sense if the Mavericks plan on using Harris at shooting guard. Bryan Gutierrez checked the data:</p>
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<p>Per <a href="http://t.co/p4pppv7sIz">http://t.co/p4pppv7sIz</a>, Harris saw a decent amount of time as Atlanta's two guard last season.</p>
— Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallinWithBryan/statuses/353656319259049984">July 6, 2013</a>
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<p>To be precise, Harris' top three five-man lineups were beside <span>Jeff Teague</span>. Although this is still a strange move, it does make a little more sense.</p>
<p>Still, Harris isn't really a shooter (33% from three last season) and isn't well-known as a defender. Can anyone else figure how this makes sense?</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/6/4499574/mavericks-sign-devin-harris-for-3-years-9-millionTim Cato2013-07-06T09:53:22-05:002013-07-06T09:53:22-05:00Dallas has "legit" interest in Bynum
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<p>According to Marc Stein, the Mavs have real interest in injured free agent center Andrew Bynum. Stein notes that Dallas will, however, proceed with caution in structuring a potential contract.</p> <p>In the aftermath of Dwight, with "Plan B" in full affect the morning after, Dallas has indentified the next big center on their checklist, <span>Andrew Bynum</span>:</p>
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<p>Mavs' post-Dwight interest in Bynum is legit. They ARE pursuing him. Yet it's been made clear they'll make detailed/careful evaluation first</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/353515851284086785">July 6, 2013</a>
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<p>This comes as no surprise to <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/5/27/4369114/why-the-mavs-will-sign-andrew-bynum">readers of MMB</a>, as Bynum is a 25 year old All-Star center who, when healthy, can rival <span>Dwight Howard</span> as the best center in basketball. Of course, the key phrase there is "when healthy".</p>
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<p>Bynum may be completely damaged goods by this point, but his level of talent simply can't be ignored. Given that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a> have acquired <span>Nerlens Noel</span>, and several other teams have already paid centers, it is possible that Bynum's market has shrunk considerably, perhaps to the point of a carefully planned, incentivized signing being a lower risk than we could have possibly predicted 8 months ago.</p>
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<p>Word surfaced a few days ago that Bynum was <a href="http://tracking.si.com/2013/07/01/andrew-bynum-free-agency/">refusing to work out</a> for prospective teams. We will see if that has changed, but such a bizarre tactic would likely also not help Bynum's free agent stock.</p>
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<p>Other teams mentioned in connection with Bynum include the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> and Portland Trailblazers.</p>
https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2013/7/6/4498474/dallas-mavericks-have-legit-interest-in-andrew-bynum-free-agencyIan_Miller