Hardwood Paroxysm Presents: What does your team need?

Nov 15, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (left), forward Kevin Love (center) and center Anderson Varejao react while sitting on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) defends against Dallas Mavericks forward Brandan Wright (34) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 140-106. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

The Mavericks got Rajon Rondo, but they still need another real big man

By Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace)

In the first major in-season move of the 2014-2015 season, the Dallas Mavericks went and got a real live point guard in Rajon Rondo. Despite an offense that produced at record levels, the combination of Jameer Nelson, Devin Harris, Raymond Felton, and J.J. Barea was not good enough to help Dallas defensively.

But no team is perfect and the move to improve point guard meant that the Mavericks were weakened elsewhere. The trade for Rondo forced Dallas to give up it’s one real tradable asset in the high flying Brandan Wright, a forward/center willing and able to dive down the lane in an effort to create space for Monta Ellis and the other drivers within the Maverick offense.

Since then, the Mavs have attempted a variety of options to soak up minutes in either the center or power forward spots. Greg Smith tries, but he’s a bruiser better suited for a bygone NBA era. Al-Farouq Aminu is, at best, a small ball power forward. Chandler Parsons is Chandler Parsons. Even rookie trade toss in Dwight Powell has gotten burn in recent games.

None of these players will cut it if Dallas hopes to do anything other than annoy their future first round playoff opponent. They need another actual NBA-level big man, preferably one that’s alive (sorry, Jermaine O’Neal). The problem is they don’t have anything left to give up in order to sign this unicorn of a player.

Of course, I could be wrong. I didn’t think a journeyman in Wright, Jae Crowder, the corpse of Jameer Nelson and a first rounder was enough to get Rajon Rondo. Perhaps Donnie Nelson has another trick up his sleeve. If the Mavericks hope to make any noise in April, Dallas fans should hope he does.

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