Potential Mavs Free Agency Targets (Part 4 - Shooting Guards)

The Dallas Mavericks pushed the 2014 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs to 7 games in the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs. That was better than the Portland Trailblazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Miami Heat could do. Now it’s time to add pieces to a team poised to make a run in 2015. Over the next Five days I will bring you a different position and who the Mavs may target.

Owner Mark Cuban and GM Donnie Nelson wasted no time in making moves early in the Off-Season by trading Jose Calderon, Wayne Ellington, Shane Larkin, Sam Dalembert, and two 2^nd Round picks (Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo) for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton.

The Mavs gave up quite a bit to bring back Tyson Chandler (whom they loved in 2011) and an overweight PG in Felton, but they got out of the Calderon (4 yr $29M) contract to clear space for this years big Free Agents. The move has the Mavs with roughly $27 Milllion to spend this Off-Season.

Here is a look at who the Mavs could be targeting:

Shooting Guard

With Monta Ellis here and playing well, look for the Mavs to find depth in Free Agency.

1) Vince Carter – 6’6” 11.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg

Solid bench scorer at this point in his career. Poor shot selection could hurt his stock, but Mavs would love him back at $3M.

2) Thabo Sefolosha – 6’7” 6.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg

Good defender with some size and 3-point range. A big part of the Thunder’s rotation the past few years. Similar salary to Carter ($3M/year).

3) Keith Langford – 6’4” - 18.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg (Italy)

Fort Worth native could sign lower contract in order to get a chance back in the NBA for his hometown team. Could be a depth guy on the bench for a contender.

Monta Ellis is the guy for the Mavs, but they would like to bring Back Vince if he's willing to come back at the Veteran Minimum ($2.7M). Sefolosha adds a defensive presence that could be beneficial, especially against the Spurs or Thunder. Langford is a wild-card, he is an All-Star in Europe and is making pretty good money as well; but if Carter doesn't come back I would roll the dice on an offensive talent like Langford.

Check back again tomorrow for the final installment: Point Guard targets for the Mavs.

Geoffrey Craig

@geoffrey_craig

Potential Mavs Free Agency Targets (Part 3 - Small Forwards)

The Dallas Mavericks pushed the 2014 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs to 7 games in the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs. That was better than the Portland Trailblazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Miami Heat could do. Now it’s time to add pieces to a team poised to make a run in 2015. Over the next Five days I will bring you a different position and who the Mavs may target.

Owner Mark Cuban and GM Donnie Nelson wasted no time in making moves early in the Off-Season by trading Jose Calderon, Wayne Ellington, Shane Larkin, Sam Dalembert, and two 2^nd Round picks (Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo) for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton.

The Mavs gave up quite a bit to bring back Tyson Chandler (whom they loved in 2011) and an overweight PG in Felton, but they got out of the Calderon (4 yr $29M) contract to clear space for this years big Free Agents. The move has the Mavs with roughly $27 Milllion to spend this Off-Season.

Here is a look at who the Mavs could be targeting:

Small Forward

This is where the Mavs are going to focus most of their time. More options here because the top two are on every teams list.

1) LeBron James – 6’8” 27.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg

Do I really need to tell you anything about him at this point. 4-time MVP. Best Player on the planet. Looking for a Max Contract ($22,120,000) with a 4.5% increase each year.

2) Carmelo Anthony – 6’8” 27.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg

See above post. Mavs made strong push by acquiring Chandler and Felton from Knicks to help recruit him. Best Offensive Player available. Max deal for Melo costs ($22,458,401) with 4.5% increase each year.

3) Luol Deng – 6’8” 16.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg

Good mid-range game, solid defender. Gave up in Cleveland last year and that could hurt his stock. Was best available before James and Anthony opted out of their contracts. Made $14M last season.

4) Trevor Ariza – 6’8” 14.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg

Another good wing player with 3-point range. Good Defender who was a key to Washington’s success last year. Looking for similar contract as last year in the $7.7M range.

5) Shawn Marion – 6’7” 10.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg

Mavs love Matrix and everything he brings, but they want him to take a big paycut and a role on the bench in order to stay. Can still get $5-8M/year elsewhere.

July 1st is when Free Agency begins but i wouldn't expect to hear from Deng, Ariza, or Marion until after LeBron and Melo make their decisions.

Check back tomorrow for Shooting Guards

Geoffrey Craig

@geoffrey_craig

Potential Mavs Free Agency Targets (Part 2 - Power Forwards)

The Dallas Mavericks pushed the 2014 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs to 7 games in the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs. That was better than the Portland Trailblazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, or Miami Heat could do. Now it’s time to add pieces to a team poised to make a run in 2015. Over the next Five days I will bring you a different position and who the Mavs may target.

Owner Mark Cuban and GM Donnie Nelson wasted no time in making moves early in the Off-Season by trading Jose Calderon, Wayne Ellington, Shane Larkin, Sam Dalembert, and two 2^nd Round picks (Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo) for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton.

The Mavs gave up quite a bit to bring back Tyson Chandler (whom they loved in 2011) and an overweight PG in Felton, but they got out of the Calderon (4 yr $29M) contract to clear space for this years big Free Agents. The move has the Mavs with roughly $27 Milllion to spend this Off-Season.

Here is a look at who the Mavs could be targeting:

Power Forward

You already know who’s at the top of the list.

1) Dirk Nowitzki - 7’0” 21.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg

Expect Dirk back, he’s said he’ll take less money in order to make team better. Expect contract similar to Tim Duncan in the $10M/year range. Even at age 36, still can fill it up.

2) DeJaun Blair - 6’8” 6.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg

Solid Role Player for Mavs last season. Mavs would love him back if he’s willing to take another one-year $900K contract. Bad knees, but still a good physical presence.

3) Kris Humphries - 6’9” 8.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg

Finally, that God-Awful 2-yr $24 million contract is over. Now teams can pay Humphries what he is actually worth. He's a tough guy and good rebounder. Averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds/game with NewJersey/Brooklyn for 2.5 years, but has career averages of 6 points and 5.5 boards in 10 seasons. If he wants to win, he’ll sign with a good team for veteran minimum.

The list looks small at the Power Forward position and it should. All indications are Dirk will return and the Mavs already have Brandon Wright as the backup at the 4 position. So, in theory, the Mavs are looking for a player who can each up 6-10 minutes per game and possibly play the 5 (Center) position in a pinch.

Check back tomorrow for the biggest need on the Mavs: Small Forward

Geoffrey Craig

@geoffrey_craig