Dollars and Sense: Shane Larkin

The NBA is about competition on the floor, but it’s also about dollars and cents. Teams now must find players who can outperform deals they’re signed to and use them as assets on the floor or as assets to flip in order to acquire a game-changing piece. ESPNDallas.com will grade how the Dallas Mavericks fared in terms of contracts of their new acquisitions.

Shane Larkin: Signed to a four-year, $7,395,002 contract. Larkin will be paid $1,536,960 in 2013-14.

The rookie guard signed to 120 percent of the rookie scale deal this season. Players drafted in the first round have to be signed to within 80 percent to 120 percent of the salaries based on the slot in which they were drafted. Dallas has contractual rights to Larkin up to the next four years.

While fellow rookie Gal Mekel provides more control and facilitating from the point guard position, Larkin presents more dynamic scoring potential and the ability to stop on a dime off a pick-and-roll situation and pull up for a jumper.

A fractured ankle prior to the Las Vegas Summer League derailed Larkin’s adjustment period into the NBA. It’s a speed bump, but it likely won’t take away from his outlook on the big picture.


(espn.com)