Mavericks likely to tap Jameer Nelson as starting PG

Any question as to who the Dallas Mavericks' starting point guard will be this season can be put to rest. Their depth at the position had the makings of a training camp battle, but head coach Rick Carlisle decided in short order that it will be Jameer Nelson getting the nod at the one.

“When we were recruiting him this summer, I told him we were looking for the best guy to be a starter for us,” Carlisle said Saturday.

The Mavericks signed Nelson to a two-year, $5.6-million deal this offseason, making him one of three similarly paid guards on the roster. Raymond Felton was acquired in a trade with the New York Knicks and has two years and $7.7 million left on his contract, and the team re-signed veteran Devin Harris for four years and $16.6 million. The team also has sophomore Gal Mekel on hand.

On investment alone, Nelson seemed perhaps the least likely starter. Carlisle said he likes Harris off of the bench, likely because of his ability to handle both guard positions, and Felton is suspended for the first four games of the season.

"It's early to commit to anything," Carlisle said as a corollary. "We got to see how it goes in games."

The starting nod means a great deal to some and less to others. With a deep cast of guards, all three could see their minutes trimmed some, and none will be relied on for too heavy an offensive role.

Harris is probably the best player of the three when both sides of the floor are considered, but starting him would require one of Felton or Nelson to spot in at the two for stretches or see a serious reduction in minutes. For now, it seems Nelson will start in a fluid situation that sees all three get run, working to establish position for an eventual tightening of the rotation later in the year.