NBA Free Agents: Carmelo Anthony’s best destinations

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas is one of the most intriguing spots in the NBA for Anthony. They overachieved in the 2014 NBA playoffs after sneaking in late in the regular season, then they took the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs to seven games. They’re a veteran team that needs to win right now and Mark Cuban is the kind of owner that will do anything he can to make that happen.

Dirk Nowitzki (making the assumption he re-signs) has been to the mountaintop before (something the previous potential teammates couldn’t boast) and rumors of his demise were sorely mistaken. Nowitzki was the best mid-range shooter in the NBA during the 2013-14 season, making a remarkable 57.8 percent of his attempts from 3-to-10 feet, 48.5 percent from 10-to-16 feet and 51.8 percent from 16 feet to the 3-point line. What does that do? It ensures Anthony would have room to maneuver on the opposite side of the floor.

Adding the greased lightning of Monta Ellis to the mix gives the Mavericks three players who can break down their opponents in different ways. The Mavs still have trusty Jose Calderon running the point with Samuel Dalembert providing support in the middle. They’d have to find a way to replace Shawn Marion‘s defense, but getting a 3-and-D guy with a lineup like that shouldn’t be too difficult.