Athleticism and shooting are two of the hottest commodities in this era of the NBA.
But don’t ever underestimate the importance of size.
The Mavericks have been forced to play small ball perhaps more than coach Jason Kidd would like this season and it has been reflected in their rebounding issues. Those occasions should be fewer and farther between now with the addition of Daniel Gafford as a center who can be interchangeable with Dereck Lively II when he returns from his nasal fracture.
That won’t happen on Monday against Washington as Lively on Sunday was ruled out, as was Dante Exum (knee).