DALLAS -- Coach Rick Carlisle isn’t too concerned about the adjustments the Mavs will have to make with Derek Fisher as their new starting point guard.
“Our adjustments are really more about how we’re going to play without (Troy) Murphy,” Carlisle said.
The Mavs waived Murphy, the veteran power forward who signed a partially guaranteed deal in early November, to make room on the roster for Fisher. Once Dirk Nowitzki returns, which will hopefully be in mid-December, the Mavs won’t have had a need for Murphy.
“I just want any potential suitors for Troy (to know) it wasn’t his performance,” owner Mark Cuban said. “He did everything we asked him to do.”
In the meantime, however, the Mavs don’t have a true power forward with perimeter shooting skills. Murphy didn’t shoot the ball well during his brief Dallas tenure (36.1 percent from the floor and 31.4 percent from 3-point range), but his presence had a positive impact on the “geometry” of the Mavs’ offense, Carlisle said.
“Without him, we can get to a stretch-four lineup, but it will be a much smaller lineup,” Carlisle said. “We have to tweak some things.”
Jae Crowder started Saturday night at power forward. Vince Carter could also see some playing time at the position.
