DALLAS — Whether the Dallas Mavericks are the team to beat in the ultra-competitive Western Conference after the blockbuster acquisition of point guard Rajon Rondo remains to be seen.
But they sure feel better about their chances.
“Having him here is a huge step forward for us,” Dallas owner Mark Cuban said Friday at Rondo’s introductory press conference.
The Mavericks have addressed a glaring weakness in their starting lineup by winning the bidding war for Rondo. The four-time All-Star replaces an underwhelming Jameer Nelson as the lead playmaker in Dallas’ offense.
The talent level at point guard in the West is deep, young and relentless. The Mavericks were at a disadvantage almost nightly when matched up against the likes of Stephen Curry (Golden State), Chris Paul (LA Clippers), Mike Conley (Memphis), Tony Parker (San Antonio), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City), Goran Dragic (Phoenix) and so on.
“Every night I’m going to have to bring it,” Rondo said. “In the Eastern Conference, there are not many nights off, but it’s night and day when you compare the East and West point guards. I think that’s one of the reasons why they brought me here is to get defensive stops and check the best guards on the floor.”
Rondo not only gives Dallas a top-flight facilitator, the eight-year veteran from Kentucky is one of the NBA’s premier on-ball defenders.
“This guy is a special player,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s had a very interesting career because he’s a guy that can do so many different things. He’s been a part of big-time winning.”
Carlisle compared the Rondo trade with Dallas dealing for Jason Kidd, who quarterbacked the Mavericks to a championship in 2011.
“We’re hoping this works out just as well,” Carlisle said.
Rondo said, “I’m dying to get a ring again.”
The Mavericks’ first team of power forward Dirk Nowitzki, center Tyson Chandler, small forward Chandler Parsons, shooting guard Monta Ellis and Rondo doesn’t take a backseat to any team.
“I think I help complete this team,” Rondo said.
It also gives Nowitzki perhaps one last shot at a second ring before the future Hall of Famer retires. That has been the plan since Cuban passed on a legitimate title defense three seasons ago to rebuild on the fly.
Rondo averaged 10.8 assists in 22 games with Boston this season, up from his career average of 8.5. He also has averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals during the course of his career.
His playoff stats are better across the board. Rondo has played in two NBA Finals, winning it all with the Celtics in 2008. He’s ready to get back to that level.
“To get back to that situation being able to play with future Hall of Famers, a great coach and a team ready to contend for a tile, I’m ready to go,” Rondo said.
Dallas players are understandably excited about adding one of the top point guards in the league, especially considering the competition in the West. The Mavericks went into Friday sixth in the conference at 19-8.
“He’s showed in his career that he’s a fierce, fierce competitor,” Nowitzki said. “In the West, that position is as loaded as it gets, so he’s going to have his hands full every night, and I think he’s going to look forward to that.
“As we’ve seen throughout his career, when the competition gets higher, he raises his level and he’s at his best in playoffs and big-time games. That’s exactly what you want. On a team that has aspirations to go high and play deep in the playoffs, you need a guy who gets better as it gets later in the year.”
The Mavericks gave up Nelson, center Brandan Wright, forward Jae Crowder and two picks. Dallas, which also received rookie forward Dwight Powell from Boston, is in the market for another frontcourt player. Among those available are veteran big men Jermaine O’Neal and Emeka Okafor.
Cuban called Rondo a “cornerstone” and plans to sign him long term. Rondo is scheduled to a free agent at the end of the season.
Former Celtics teammate Kendrick Perkins, who is with the Oklahoma City Thunder, said he spoke briefly with Rondo after the trade.
“He wanted out, but he would never say that though,” Perkins told Yahoo Sports. “Going to nice weather, a contender. Hopefully, he will do what he got to do in terms of his contract extension. It’s a great opportunity. I’m happy for him. I’m not happy he is in the West, but I’m happy for him. His time was probably up in Boston. He did his due.
“He was cool, happy. He was excited. He’s going to a contender.”