The Dallas Mavericks are reaching into the NBA G League talent pool to address their suddenly dire need for size. With center Anthony Davis expected to miss multiple weeks and backup big men Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II also on the shelf for extended periods, the Mavs plan to sign 7-foot-2 center Moses Brown to a 10-day contract, his agent Ryan Davis told ESPN on Wednesday.
Familiar Face Returns to Dallas
This won’t be Brown’s first stint with the Mavericks. The undrafted UCLA product appeared in 26 games for Dallas during the 2021-22 season, though he averaged just 3.1 points and 2.6 rebounds in 6.5 minutes per contest. Still, the Mavs are banking on the 23-year-old’s tantalizing combination of size and athleticism to provide a much-needed jolt to their depleted frontcourt rotation.
G League Rebounding Machine
Brown has been tearing up the G League this season with the Westchester Knicks, posting monster averages of 15.6 points, 14.9 rebounds and approximately one block per game. That level of production caught the attention of the Indiana Pacers, who signed him to a brief nine-game stint earlier this season. But Brown struggled to crack Indiana’s rotation, logging just 5.1 minutes per night.
Moses is eager to make the most of this opportunity in Dallas. He’s been working incredibly hard with the Knicks, and he’s ready to contribute however the Mavs need him.
– Ryan Davis, Brown’s agent
Mavs’ Decimated Frontcourt
The Mavericks have been hit hard by the injury bug, especially at the center position. Prized offseason acquisition Anthony Davis is expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks, while promising rookie Dereck Lively II is out indefinitely with a fractured ankle. To make matters worse, key reserve big man Daniel Gafford will miss at least six weeks and veteran Dwight Powell remains out long-term with a hip issue.
- Anthony Davis: Out multiple weeks
- Daniel Gafford: Out at least 6 weeks
- Dereck Lively II: Out indefinitely (ankle fracture)
- Dwight Powell: Out long-term (hip injury)
That leaves Christian Wood and JaVale McGee as the only healthy centers on the roster, with Maxi Kleber likely to soak up minutes as an undersized five. The addition of Brown gives head coach Jason Kidd another big body to throw out there and help shoulder the rebounding load.
Will Brown Rise to the Occasion?
While no one expects Brown to fully replace the production of a superstar like Anthony Davis, he has an opportunity to carve out a meaningful role in Dallas, at least in the short term. His elite size and rebounding prowess could be a real asset for a Mavs team that currently ranks in the bottom third of the league in rebounding percentage.
The Dallas Mavericks are signing center Moses Brown of the Westchester Knicks to a 10-day contract, agent Ryan Davis tells ESPN. Brown averaged 15.6 points and 14.9 rebounds for Westchester in the G League this season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 22, 2023
If Brown can provide energy, defense and rebounding off the bench, he could end up sticking around longer than his initial 10-day deal. The Mavs will certainly give him every opportunity to prove himself, as they simply can’t afford to be picky with healthy bigs right now.
For Brown, it’s a chance to get his NBA career back on track after bouncing around the past few seasons. He’s shown flashes of promise during previous stints with the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Mavericks. Now he’ll look to put it all together on a Dallas team that desperately needs his size and skill set.
