Offseason Wishlist - Developing Roddy B

Earl K. Sneed, Mavs.com
Offseason Wishlist - Developing Roddy B

At the heart of the Dallas Mavericks' offseason plans is the organization's desire to refine the skill level and basketball IQ of a young guard from the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

Rodrigue Beaubois turned heads during his rookie season, displaying an uncanny ability to fill up the scoring column with highlight reel dunks above the rim and sharpshooting from behind the 3-point arch.

But now the organization would like to see the 22-year-old settle into a role that both Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and the front office sees Beaubois playing for years to come: Point guard of the future.

"That's certainly in everyone's thought process as a possibility," Carlisle said of making Beaubois a building block for the team's future. "You don't want to anoint somebody as having arrived before they arrive, but he's taken the right steps."

Beaubois, who spent most of his team playing alongside veteran and future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, will now be asked to relieve his mentor at times while running the team's second unit in year No. 2.

"Probably 80 percent of his minutes this season where at the two (shooting guard) position. And he did terrific, particularly playing with Jason Kidd," Carlisle said of his young pro.

Under Kidd's tutelage, the first-year standout shined. The draft-day acquisition (in a deal with Oklahoma City) and French League product appeared in just 56 games, starting 16 times. Though his season tally reflected averages of just 7.1 points and 1.0 assists, Beaubois' career-high 40 points against Golden State on March 27 may have given a glimpse into the bright days ahead for the budding star.

"I have to work a lot, because if I didn't play more it's because I didn't show enough things," Beaubois said. "I need to get much better at the point guard position."

Now its time for Beaubois to carve his own path, hopefully allowing the team's 37-year-old first-stringer at the lead guard position to get more rest next year.

While starting in all 80 games that he appeared in, Kidd averaged 36.0 minutes a contest. That number jumped to 40.5 minutes of game action during the Mavs' first-round playoff series defeat to the San Antonio Spurs. With Beaubois' 12.5 minutes during the season undoubtedly expected to increase, including more time at the backup point guard spot, Kidd figures to be well-rested throughout the 82-game schedule.

"Going forward, we need (Beaubois) to enhance his knowledge of the point guard position -- his ability to score and do dynamic things -- but to also get the other guys on the floor involved. He's going to be a guy that is going to be an important player for this franchise, at both the point and two guard positions," the coach explained.

To help better equip himself for manning the controls, Beaubois will be spending a lot of time on the court this summer. For a second time, No. 3 will be leading the Mavericks' Summer League squad in July. He has also been selected to play for his native French national team in the FIBA World Championship in Turkey, which runs from Aug. 28-Sept. 12.

"This summer will be very important for me. I really need to work on my game and my body, everything, and just come into Training Camp ready to go," Beaubois said.

For all of your news on the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EarlKSneed.