Game 74: Dallas Mavericks (35-38) vs. Orlando Magic (35-38)

[F Gump]

I don’t know if it is just new, but the team just looks better with Williams on the floor.  His quickness just makes things easier.  His finishing at the rim has been good.  It is crazy but I have no idea how the Mavs replace his minutes when his games run out.

To me, BW's been showing something valuable since mid-Feb, which is when I began to mention him as a possibility for an end-of-season contract (instead of Edwards).

By my count, he has 1 two-way game left, and if that's the next one, he will then become unavailable for 5 games. (Who knew Brandon Williams being unavailable for 5 games would be a thing for the Mavs? I sure didn't have that on MY bingo card!)

Edwards is already out of 2-way eligibility. Kai J won't make the end of the season either, but he can play all but 2 games.

If they wish, they can "promote" a player to the 15-man roster to fill the open roster slot and play the last 2 games (plus any post-season), and my guess is they will do that with BW. (Counting this season's games, they could actually offer him up to 4 years at the minimum, and I would offer 2 more NG years plus a TO for a 4th - he's never made a 15-man roster, ever.) In addition to the one player for 2 games, they could sign another player for the last game, but they currently lack a roster spot. They could apply for (and should be eligible to get) a hardship waiver to sign a 16th player, but they can't use a hardship guy in the playoffs or tack on an additional year or 3 on that sort of deal.