Willie Cauley-Stein Out, Trey Burke In As Mavericks Prepare For NBA Restart

When the Dallas Mavericks resume practice prior to departing for Orlando, Florida, where the NBA will restart its season, they’ll do so with a somewhat new-look roster. They’ll be down a center but added depth at point guard.

According to sources, Willie Cauley-Stein, who the Mavericks acquired from the Golden State Warriors in January for a second-round draft pick, will opt to sit out the NBA’s return. He and his partner are expecting the birth of a child in July.

Cauley-Stein appeared in 13 games with the Mavericks and averaged 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game.

In his place, Dallas reached a verbal agreement to sign point guard Trey Burke to fill out its roster. Burke started the season with the Philadelphia 76ers before being waived in early February.

Burke played for the Mavericks last season. He came to Dallas as part of the blockbuster trade between the New York Knicks and Mavericks for former All-Star Kristaps Porzingis.

In 25 games with Dallas, Burke averaged 9.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 17.4 minutes per game.

The addition of Burke will help allay some concerns about the team’s depth at point guard. Jalen Brunson, who is the Mavericks’ primary backup at the position, is out for the remainder of the season. Brunson suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder in late February. He underwent surgery to repair it shortly after the NBA suspended its season on March 11.

J.J. Barea is the other point guard on the roster.

Dallas is also without starting center Dwight Powell and backup guard Courtney Lee. Powell suffered a ruptured right Achilles in late January, ending his season. Lee sustained a left calf injury during the NBA’s hiatus. He will not be available when the team resumes organized workouts.

Cauley-Stein’s absence leaves the Mavs shorthanded in the middle with Powell already sidelined. This leaves Maxi Kleber and Boban Marjanovic as the team’s only backup centers. Porzingis shifted into the team’s starting center position after Powell’s injury.

Required individual workouts begin July 1. Teams travel to Orlando July 7.