Last season left the Mavericks thin in one of the most important spots on the floor: dependable 3-point shooting from the point guard position. That problem looks a lot more manageable now with Marcus Sasser in the mix.
Dallas leaned heavily on Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard while Kyrie Irving missed the entire season. Williams struggled badly from deep, hitting just 23.2 percent of his 3s, while Nembhard hovered around league average from long range.
Sasser brings a much different profile. Through three NBA seasons, he has knocked down 38.6 percent of his attempts from outside, and he set a career best last season in Detroit by shooting 41.5 percent from downtown.
That kind of shot-making could matter a lot for Dallas, especially if Sasser ends up as the first guard off the bench. Irving will obviously give the Mavericks a proven marksman at the position when he’s on the floor, but Sasser gives them a chance to keep that spacing alive when the bench comes in. In other words, Dallas could have real scoring punch at point guard for nearly the full 48 minutes most nights.
What makes Sasser especially interesting is that he isn’t just standing in the corner waiting for catch-and-shoot looks. He has also shown he can create 3-point attempts off the dribble, which gives him another layer as a scorer. That ability is part of why his shooting stands out, and it could become even more visible if he gets a bigger role next season.
For a smaller NBA guard, that outside shot matters. It’s close to mandatory unless a player can overwhelm defenses with constant pressure at the rim and in the midrange, the way Williams has tried to do.
Sasser may not bring Williams’ burst, but he is still a capable driver and a crafty finisher around the basket. That makes him a logical fit in the backup point guard role, and it suggests Dallas made the right swap.
No. 25 overall pick Sergio De Larrea could work his way into the point guard rotation alongside Irving and Sasser, but he’s still largely untested at the NBA level beyond an impressive Summer League debut. For now, Mavericks fans should expect Sasser to be the main backup point guard unless De Larrea changes that picture. Because of De Larrea’s size, there’s even a path for Dallas to use the two together in some bench lineups.
That’s what makes Sasser such an important variable for the Mavericks. If he takes a step forward with a bigger role, he could help cover up a lot of the team’s guard depth concerns. That matters even more in games when Irving, now 34, has to sit.
Dallas can be questioned for not adding another lead guard this summer. But at the same time, there’s plenty to like about what Sasser can bring. When he and Irving are both healthy, the Mavericks have a chance to keep an above-average shooter at the point guard spot on the floor all game long.
In Other News...
Klay Thompson's Next Move Says Everything About Dallas' Sudden Reset
Klay Thompsons next stop is now official, and it tells the story of how quickly the league can move once a familiar name hits the market. After clearing waivers, Thompson agreed to a two-year deal with the Miami Heat, where he is expected to slot into the starting lineup in the coming season. For a player whose rsum still carries championship weight, the fit in Miami says as much about the Heats ambitions as it does about Thompsons ability to stay a useful piece at this stage of his career.
Pat Riley made clear why the signing mattered, pointing to Thompsons veteran presence and championship pedigree as reasons he belongs in the mix. The contract structure also gives both sides some flexibility as Miami looks ahead, with Thompson set up for a role that could extend beyond a simple stopgap. For Dallas, it is another reminder of how fast the roster picture can change, and how the decisions around familiar faces can reshape the conversation almost overnight. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Just Opened A Backcourt Opportunity One Young Shooter Could Seize
A roster squeeze has turned into a little breathing room for Dallas, and the ripple effect could be felt quickly in the backcourt. With the Mavericks now down to the 15-player limit, the rotation suddenly has a cleaner path for younger guards and wings to earn real minutes, especially a player like Tarik Biberovic, whose shooting gives him a clear niche on a team that can always use more spacing.
The opening is one thing, but the harder part is turning it into an actual role. Dallas will be looking for someone to claim those extra possessions and prove he can stay on the floor, and Biberovic now has a better chance than before to make his case in a backcourt that just became a lot less crowded. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Still Have One Roster Problem They Cant Ignore
The Mavericks have done most of the heavy lifting on their offseason roster, but the one area still staring them in the face is the backcourt. With Kyrie Irving already in place and Marcus Sasser and rookie Sergio de Larrea behind him, Dallas does not look like a team that can comfortably navigate the start of camp without adding more guard help.
So the front office is still weighing options as the calendar turns toward training camp, and the urgency is obvious. The team has been linked to possible additions who could change the shape of the rotation, but the bigger question remains how Dallas plans to shore up a group that feels short on proven depth before the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]