{"id":714086,"date":"2026-04-19T18:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T18:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/714086\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T18:00:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T18:00:34","slug":"dallas-mavericks-may-have-stumbled-on-perfect-player-to-fix-biggest-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/714086\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Mavericks May Have Stumbled On Perfect Player to Fix Biggest Need"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dallas Mavericks<\/a> have a lot of needs that they need to address if they want to get back to the NBA Playoffs and bounce back from their disastrous 26-56 season. Going from the NBA Finals two years ago to back-to-back lottery finishes is not how any NBA team should operate. <\/p>\n

Of the many needs this roster has, three-point shooting<\/a> is its biggest. Their playmaking weakness will be addressed by Kyrie Irving’s return from injury next year, as well as a second-year jump from Cooper Flagg. Irving can help with the three-point shooting, too, but there needs to be a lot more of it. <\/p>\n

With an under-the-radar move late in the season, the Mavericks may have stumbled on someone who can help with that. <\/p>\n

\"Dallas<\/p>\n

Apr 8, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard John Poulakidas (1) against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

John Poulakidas Could Get a Jump to Main Mavericks Roster<\/p>\n

After the trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks waived Tyus Jones to free a roster spot, which was used to sign Ryan Nembhard to a standard NBA contract. They also waived Miles Kelly from his two-way deal, opening two spots on two-way deals. With those openings, they signed Tyler Smith and John Poulakidas. <\/p>\n

Both players showed flashes, but Poulakidas looks like a potential end-of-bench shooter who can come in and hit a few three-pointers. You can never have enough shooting in the NBA, and Poulakidas has shown flashes of doing it at a high level. <\/p>\n

In his 13 appearances in the NBA, Poulakidas averaged 8.8 PPG while shooting 40.3% from three. While games at the end of March and into April for a team already eliminated from the playoffs only matter so much, he did have five games where he hit at least 3 three-pointers. That includes a 28-point outing against his hometown Chicago Bulls in the season finale, going 8\/16 from deep. He also had 23 points against the Phoenix Suns. <\/p>\n

The Mavericks finished 29th in three-pointers made this year and 26th in three-point percentage. Any hope of getting back into playoff contention likely leans on that skyrocketing next season. Having a sweet-shooting lefty come off the bench for 10 minutes per game wouldn’t be a bad idea. <\/p>\n

As of now, the Mavericks aren’t projected to have many roster spots open. They have 11 players under contract, assuming they pick up Ryan Nembhard’s team option, and they have two first-round picks this summer. They also have a second-round pick, but that could be used for a two-way contract. That leaves just two standard contracts, barring them trading away or waiving other players. <\/p>\n

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