NBA Rumors: Dallas Mavericks Should Pursue Steven Adams To Replace Dwight Powell's Spot

Adding one of the nicest guys in the league won’t hurt the Dallas Mavericks.

The injury that young center Dwight Powell got left a big hole at the center spot and one of the names that are on the rumor mill is Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder per The Smoking Cuban.

The 6-foot-11 New Zealander is averaging 60.3% from the field, which is close to the 63.8 percent clip by Powell, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon on his right leg against the Los Angeles Clippers two days ago. Though Adams isn’t shooting from the three-point land, his efficiency and his rebounding will be a plus. He’s taken 92% of his shots from less than 10 feet while averaging 9.7 rebounds per game – 3.5 are coming off offensive possessions.

Adams is more of a bruiser in the shaded lane unlike Powell, who relies more on the hustle and his athleticism. He’s providing the hardest screens in the league that opens shooters – which could open up space for shooters Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Seth Curry – or execute a perfect pick-and-roll with Jalen Brunson and Luka Doncic. Only 26 years old, Adams is one of the best in pick-and-roll situations with his 1.24 points per possession is almost a guaranteed field goal once it’s been executed.

The only thing that’s not a good sight for Adams is his 56.7% shooting from the three-throw line but with his rebounding prowess, coach Rick Carlisle could ask him to trust his teammates and kick the ball out to shooters.

Kristaps Porzingis, who is also coming off a break due to his knee soreness, took over the starting center position with Dorian Finney-Smith playing the four-spot in their 133-125 win in Portland. None of them are throwing their weight around under the rim like Adams does as most of their bigs are more comfortable shooting from distance, leaving only Boban Marjanovic as the full-time center for the team.

Powell will be most likely done for the season and Porzingis is a camper from either the perimeter or the rainbow land and with the trade deadline is just a couple of weeks away, Adams could bring a new dimension to the Mavericks’ offense.

And, of course, a nice, tough guy.