2017 Mavs Training Camp Profile: Seth Curry

After spending four seasons venturing into the path of NBA journeyman, it appears Seth Curry found his fit with the Dallas Mavericks. Curry navigated brief stints through Sacramento, Phoenix, Memphis and Cleveland before landing in the metroplex. After rising to a key rotational player, even making appearances as a starter, Curry’s role leading into the upcoming season could prove to be an uphill battle.

There’s no certainty for any guard beyond rookie Dennis Smith Jr. due to a stockpile of position players at head coach Rick Carlisle’s disposal. Aside from Smith, J.J. Barea is the only point guard prospect with a contract extending beyond this season. But as the Mavericks demonstrated last season, injuries can hamper a roster quickly. Players like Curry and Yogi Ferrell took advantage of the chance to max out on their opportunity. Both will have to produce again this season entering the final year of their deals, respectively.

2016-2017 Year in Review

Curry earned nearly $3 million on the first year of his two-year, $5,296,410 deal, which is fully guaranteed. Great value for a guy that notched multiple double-digit scoring games throughout the season. He appeared off the bench initially while starting sparingly in the early months of the season. He made six starts during the rough 3-14 start for Dallas before spending the dog days of December as a rotational player off the bench.

By mid-January, however, Curry became a staple in the starting lineup and his production increased accordingly. The 6-foot-2 guard had 11 consecutive double-digit scoring nights, including three 20-point outings. Curry logged a season-high 31 points on Feb. 24 in a 13-point loss to Minnesota during the early stages of another run of consecutive double-digit scoring nights, this time nine games in a row. Curry continued to appear as a starter through the latter days of March but by April, he was on the shelf, listed as an inactive for the final seven games of the season.

2017-2018 Season Outlook

Again, it’s difficult to peer into the crystal ball of the future for Curry for two reasons: First, Rick Carlisle has gone on record saying that Dennis Smith will see plenty of minutes as the starting point guard for this team. Meaning Ferrell, Curry and Barea will be on the outside looking in for minutes and opportunities. Also, this is a contract year for Curry. He will not be the only Maverick playing for a new contract (cc: Nerlens Noel). But he will be the only one fighting for a new contract from the bench, which can prove difficult when minutes are fluctuating.

Regardless of how many opportunities Curry receives from the bench, if he replicates another efficient scoring season, as demonstrated last year, Dallas will surely find a spot for former sharpshooter Dell Curry’s youngest son. Seth shot 48 percent from the field, 42.5 percent from three-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line. A slight uptick in production could allow younger Curry to join older brother and former NBA MVP Steph Curry in the illustrious 50-40-90 club which recognizes field goal shooting percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage. It would be the only occurrence where two siblings were in the club.

Sure, we can anticipate Curry’s production as a shooter. But his ability as a playmaker could continue to enhance his role not only with this team but also in free agency. After averaging 2.7 assists last season, Curry posted an assist-to-turnover ration of 2-to-1. An improvement in that area could demonstrate whether Curry is destined to thrive as a scoring threat or potentially something bigger.

Stats via Basketball Reference and NBA.