National Basketball Association

Dallas Mavericks: 5 Options for the Last Training Camp Invite

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Mar 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle looks on in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Mavericks defeated the Nuggets 97-88. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

After an eventful offseason, the Dallas Mavericks have one more training camp invite to hand out over the next couple of weeks. Who might get the call?

After swinging (and missing) for the fences once again in free agency, Dallas rebounded nicely by adding a couple former NBA champions in Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut. Along with them, Dallas went the younger route with the additions of Seth Curry, Quincy Acy, and other training camp invites.

Now the Mavericks sit with 19 of their 20 camp invites handed out, with one spot still left for another player to come in and compete for a spot.

Here is how the position invites look so far…

In the back court, Dallas obviously has Deron Williams, Wesley Matthews, Devin Harris, J.J. Barea and Seth Curry. Then they handed partial guaranteed invite deals to Jonathan Gibson, Kyle Collinsworth, and Keith Hornsby.

On the wing, there is Harrison Barnes and Justin Anderson with partial guaranteed deals handed out to Nicolas Brussino and Dorian Finney-Smith.

Up front, Dallas has newcomer Andrew Bogut, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Powell, Salah Mejri, and Quincy Acy. They also handed out a partial guaranteed deal to Jameel Warney in addition to second round draft pick A.J. Hammons.

Here are five options for who could get the last spot in camp…

Apr 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) battles for position with Minnesota Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger (10) in the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

5.) Chase Budinger

Chase Budinger came into the league in the 2009 NBA Draft where he was involved in a draft day trade to the Houston Rockets .

The 6’7″ athletic wing spent three seasons in Houston before heading to Minnesota to play for three more seasons. After being traded to and waived by the Pacers, Budinger signed a contract for the rest of the season in Phoenix last year where he now hits unrestricted free agency.

In Dallas, Budinger sort of fits the bill for handing a camp invite out to another younger option who hasn’t blossomed in the league yet. Budinger might not ever blossom into a quality role player, but his athleticism on the wing could be something Dallas would like to bring to camp.

Jan 16, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Tarik Black (28) defends against Utah Jazz center Tibor Pleiss (21) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 109-82. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

4.) Tibor Pleiss

After a recent trade that sent Pleiss from Utah to Philadelphia, it looks as if he will hit the market very soon.

Pleiss is a 7’3″ center from Germany who played his first season in the NBA just last season. After being drafted in the 2010 NBA Draft, Pleiss finally made the leap to the NBA last year where he came off the bench in Utah in a very limited role.

The German big man, who played with Dirk on the German National team last summer, is just 26 years old and hits unrestricted free agency. With Dallas looking to add younger players who are still growing into themselves, Pleiss fits the bill of the offseason.

He could come into camp and at least push Hammons to fight for that last spot.

Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kendall Marshall (5) and forward Jerami Grant (39) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

3.) Kendall Marshall

Marshall was the 13th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft as Phoenix took the chance on adding the smooth passing point guard out of UNC.

Things obviously didn’t work out in Phoenix and he found himself finishing the 2013-14 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. It looked like Marshall had found his home in Milwaukee before he tore his ACL, but then found himself on the open market where he signed a multi-year deal with Philadelphia.

Now, Marshall found himself traded to and waived by the Jazz (in exchange for Pleiss) where he hits the open market. Known for his passing, Marshall has always struggled with his outside shot and perimeter defense.

But Marshall is still just 25 years old and fits the current youth bill that Dallas is trying to accomplish with filling out their roster. It would be a big mountain to climb in making the roster, but Marshall could come in and compete with Gibson for that last point guard spot.

Mar 14, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward P.J. Hairston (19) talks with referee Dan Crawford (right) during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

2.) P.J. Hairston

At just 23 years old, Hairston hits unrestricted free agency after a rough start to his short career. After spending his first two years in Charlotte and Memphis, Hairston looks to find a new home as a spark plug off the bench.

The former first round pick shot almost 40% from behind the arc in his last season at UNC and during his short stint in the D-League, he averaged over 21 points a game for the Texas Legends.

Hairston fits the young agenda in Dallas as he is just 23 and if there is one thing that Hairston can do, it’s putting the ball in the basket. Hairston would come into Dallas and compete with the plethora of the guards in hoping to show the Mavericks that he has a spot in the league.

Dec 15, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) drives on Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

1.) Larry Sanders

Ever since Larry Sanders walked away from the game a couple of years ago, rumors have circulated about him making a potential return. Once considered one of the best young big men in the league in Milwaukee, Sanders would be very appealing as he is still just 27 years old.

In Dallas, Sanders would be a very intriguing option.

Andrew Bogut is over 30 years old and is set to hit free agency next summer. If Sanders is truly past his previous issues, and could get back to where he was when he left the league, he could be one of the bigger signing steals of the offseason.

But as the above tweet mentions, it looks as if Sanders is wanting that roster spot guarantee. If Dallas is willing to give that to him, it would be curious to see what they would do with A.J. Hammons and even Salah Mejri.

Dallas could go in any direction for that last camp invite, but if they stick to their current trend, I wouldn’t expect an older veteran getting that spot.

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