Monta Ellis and the Dallas Mavericks have agreed on a three year deal worth a minimum of $25 million and potential $30 million after incentives. The Mavericks needed an upgrade a guard and another scorer to complement Dirk Nowitzki, but Monta Ellis represents a bigger need for the franchise.
Monta Ellis burst on the NBA scene in his second season, 2006-07, winning the Most Improved Player award moving his scoring average from 6.8 points per game to 16.5. That season the 8th seeded Golden State Warriors defeated the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks shocking everyone. Ellis' statistics are good, but playing in NBA obscurity in Oakland and Milwaukee as of late have not helped him move into elite status. Although he has career average of 19.4 points per game in seven NBA seasons, he has not to be an All-Star.
Now playing a bigger market like Dallas he will have the opportunity to become an elite scorer recognized by the NBA world. The biggest knock on Ellis has been his shoot-first mentality, but that is exactly the type of player needed in the American Airlines Center. Fans watched players last season pass-and-pass-and-pass until whoever had the ball with the shot clock expiring took the shot. O.J. Mayo had the similar label of shot-taker, but he fizzled out quicker than sparklers on 4th of July.
Mavericks took improving their backcourt seriously this offseason. The signed Jose Calderon, a player they have been trying to acquire through trade last season, and added draft pick Shane Larkin. They pulled Gal Mekel from overseas and even tried to re-live the past of Devin Harris. Shane Larkin is now out for at least three months with a broken ankle and the Devin Harris deal is on hold due to a dislocated toe discovered in his physical examination. Now Monta Ellis fills a big need.
The most important reason the Mavericks need Monta Ellis is the most feared reason that the franchise needs to consider. Dirk Nowitzki is not attractive. The last two offseason free agency periods, the Mavs have been in prime position to add perennial All-Star players and zero have decided playing with Nowitzki was a good idea. That reality was more glaring this offseason as Dirk participated in all of the negotiations with team and players to add to the roster. The result was no All-Star player joining the roster. In todays NBA, free agents in their prime are not going to hitch their wagon to a 35-year old on the decline.
The 27-year old Monta Ellis is young enough to attractive better free agents to Dallas. He first of all needs an All-Star season this upcoming season so he can gain attention for himself and the team. He needs to be in the All-Star locker room where ironically now the free agent deals are really made. Ellis could be the catalyst needed for Dallas to get back in contention and relevant again.
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