The Dallas Mavericks have a big problem. Literally.
As it turns out, Anthony Davis may be the healthiest of their top centers, as Dereck Lively II is out for the season and Daniel Gafford has potentially sustained a serious knee injury. Unfortunately for them, Olivier-Maxence Prosper doesn’t have the requisite size to replace them. For all of his tangible and intangible skills, he’s simply too small on the glass, leaving the Mavs vulnerable.
Moving forward, 7-foot-0 center Kylor Kelley –who Dallas recently signed to a two-way contract –will likely get minutes. Nonetheless, with one remaining roster spot, the Mavs should fortify up their center depth. Whether that’s a 10-day contract or a longer one, all that can be certain is that they need to get bigger, as soon as possible.
Alex Len
With 7-foot-0 and 250-pound center Alex Len changing his mind about signing with the Indiana Pacers, it’s possible that the Los Angeles Lakers look at him as an option. After deciding to void their trade for the promising Mark Williams, they’re now scrambling to find an alternative. Unlike Williams, Len hasn’t been a full-time starter in years. However, he possesses size, experience, and the ability to impact the game at both ends. With that being said, Len has a reason to stay in California; he’s played for the Sacramento Kings for the past four seasons, so it may be a home away from home.
Nonetheless, the Mavericks can pay him more, as they have $4.3 million remaining from their non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception. Conversely, the Lakers are effectively unable to use even the taxpayer’s mid-level exception since the Williams trade was rescinded. Money goes a longer way in Texas anyways due to there being no state tax, unlike California. So, if the 31-year-old is looking for the biggest payday, he could wind up in Dallas.
Moses Brown
In the event that the Mavs hand out a pair of 10-day contracts, Moses Brown is a center who could come in handy at 7-foot-2 and 245 pounds. Currently playing for the Westchester Knicks in the G League, Brown averages 16.1 points and 15.2 rebounds per game in 2024-25.
He doesn’t block as many shots as his height would suggest. However, because of his towering presence, he’s still a watchman in the paint. Furthermore, Brown’s biggest weakness is a lack of lateral agility, so he’s much better in drop coverage than in space anyways.
With 159 career NBA games under his belt, he’s no stranger to call-ups. In fact, he played nine games for the Pacers this season. In April 2024, he averaged 7.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per game while with the Portland Trail Blazers. Again, he doesn’t seem to be a player that teams would rely on long-term. Nevertheless, he could spell Dallas’s centers in a pinch.
Skal Labissiere
Drafted 28th overall in 2016, Skal Labissiere hasn’t suited up for an NBA team since 2019-20.
Since then, he’s worked diligently to get back in the NBA, refining both his game and his body. With that being said, though he isn’t nearly as imposing as Brown from a physical standpoint, he still possesses solid measurables at 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds. He’s also a skilled big man with regard to his ability to stretch the floor.
In Dallas, he’d actually look a lot like Prosper. He’s active, can score inside and inside, and offers rim-protection as well. However, he has better length and shooting touch.
This season, the Haitian big man is averaging 16.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. He’s shooting 35.6 percent from downtown while taking 2.4 three-pointers per game.
Armando Bacot
Sometimes a player is just particularly adept at a certain skill. For undrafted rookie Armando Bacot, that’s rebounding. In fact, when he left UNC, he was their all-time leader in defensive rebounds (1,122), offensive rebounds (593), and total rebounds (1,715). His rebounding rate (15.0 percent) is currently the seventh-highest in the G League.
It makes sense considering his combination of energy, fluidity, and measurables. Though listed at 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds, Bacot is quick on his feet and plays like he has a battery in his back.
If called up by the Mavs, they may initially test him out with a 10-day contract or two. However, he likely has enough skill as a scorer, rebounder, and defender for his stay to be extended. Perhaps it’s just for the remainder of the season. Nonetheless, given the injury concerns surrounding their big men, it might need to be for a bit longer.
With that being said, it helps that Bacot can also play power forward, as there will be less of a logjam at center when the Mavs are fully healthy.
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