Mavs need to focus free-agency attention on Matt Barnes

by Alan Cohen

Now that the draft is over, the Dallas Mavericks can get back to focusing on free agency, something that will actually help them next season. Resigning Jerry Stackhouse may be a priority, but I think the single biggest opportunity in this year's free agency market is Matt Barnes from the Golden State Warriors. Barnes is a 6'7" player that runs the floor, is a threat both inside and out, and has a gritty attitude that the Mavs sorely need. He's the kind of player that really gets under his opponents' skin. Frankly, thats exactly what the Mavs need. Instead of being relieved when Dirk or Josh Howard goes to the bench, Dallas should want opposing players to be saying, "Crap, now I have to put up with that a-hole Barnes." And that is exactly what the Mavs were saying to themselves when Barnes was seemingly everywhere during Golden State's dismantling of Dallas during this year's playoffs. Now I want Barnes on my team, 'cause he's the type of player I'll hate if he is anywhere else.

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