The Dallas Mavericks have done what they set out to do this off-season. Yet, the Mavericks apparently aren’t done tweaking their roster, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein.
NBA Rumors: Dallas Mavericks Eyeing Another Wing and Big Man
Dallas’ biggest move this off-season was retaining Kyrie Irving, which the Mavericks have said was their goal. The Mavericks re-signed Dwight Powell and traded for Richaun Holmes. The Mavs also inked Dante Exum and Seth Curry to free-agent deals while fully guaranteeing Reggie Bullock’s deal. Of course, this doesn’t include the Mavs drafting Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper in the first round.
Dallas has 14 players under contract, including their two unsigned draft picks. The Mavericks’ salaries for those 14 players total about $160.2 million. Thus, leaving the Mavs approximately $5 million below the luxury tax.
Mavericks Projected Depth Chart
PG-Luka Doncic, Exum
SG-Irving, Curry, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy
SF- Tim Hardaway Jr., Bullock
PF – Maxi Kleber, Prosper
C – Powell, JaVale McGee, Holmes, Lively II
Still, Stein reports that Mavs want to upgrade at the wing and center positions. Defense remains a priority.
The Mavericks have been rumored to be interested in moving Hardaway Jr. and Bullock and could now move on from Holmes. The Mavs used their trade exception and Davis Bertans to acquire Holmes from Sacramento. Moving off Curry is also possible, though it seems unlikely, as the Mavericks recently signed him as a free agent.
While the Mavericks haven’t been willing to trade Green, he previously has drawn a lot of interest from other teams. Hardy also has drawn some interest.
Dallas still has the league’s $12.4 million mid-level exception to use, along with $4.9 million left over from their trade exception that was sent to the Kings.
Which Wings Could the Mavs Pursue?
The Mavericks have been linked to Boston Celtics’ restricted free agent Grant Williams. In his report, Stein added that they have their eye on the Portland Trail Blazers restricted free agent Matisse Thybulle. Both players make sense of what the Mavs want to do. Williams is expected to draw a lot of interest, and while the Celtics may not match offers as previously reported, it is still possible. A sign-and-trade is also a realistic possibility.
Thybulle should not be as costly. However, the Blazers made a $6.1 million qualifying offer a few days ago. Houston, Detroit, Brooklyn, Portland, and Chicago appear to be Dallas’ biggest competitors for Williams and Thybulle. However, a lot can still happen with roster movement.
Kelly Oubre Jr. and Will Barton are other wing free-agent possibilities. Oubre Jr. should be a great fit for the Mavs as he can play multiple positions and is a three-level scorer. Oubre is also an excellent rebound and will compete on the defensive end. Barton struggled mightily this past season though he has been an average 3-point shooter and decent defender throughout his career.
Who are the Big Men the Mavericks May Be Interested In?
In terms of big men, Dallas has explored trades for Clint Capela and Deandre Ayton. While it doesn’t seem either one of those players will be available before the trade dead, Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen could be. Allen is fantastic around the rim on both ends of the floor and a solid shot-blocker. However, Allen struggles defensively overall. On the free agent market, Mo Bamba, Bismack Biyombo, and Paul Reed could be attractive to Dallas. All three would be upgrades over McGee and Holmes. Bamba may also be a better fit than Powell, who doesn’t score.
Bamba isn’t a great scorer, but he can stretch the floor. He is also great on the glass and is a quality rim protector. The 25-year-old is also a quality defender overall.
Biyoma similar player to Powell though more athletic. The 30-year-old is also probably more efficient on both ends of the floor than Powell. Biyombo posted three double-doubles last season in limited action.
Reed is a restricted free agent. Reed is coming off a career season and had an excellent playoff run. He is a hard worker on the glass and defensively. However, Reed is limited offensively though he does have some upside.
