Friday, June 27, 2014

Potential Mavs Free Agency Targets (Part 1 - Centers)

Potential Mavs Free Agency Targets

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 2nd 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:

Centers
With Tyson Chandler expected to start, the Mavs will be looking for a quality backup. Here’s a few that fit the bill.

1) Spencer Hawes – 7’1” 13.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg
Made $6.5M last season, may be out of Mavs price range. Good Mid-range jumper, can stretch out to 3-Point range. Solid rebounder. 



2) Jermaine O’Neal – 6’11” 7.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg
On Mavs radar before signing with Golden State.  On last leg of career. Still blocks shots and rebounds well. $2M contract last season. 


3) Drew Gooden – 6’10” 8.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Played well with Mavs before being traded to Washington in Haywood, Butler, Stevenson trade in 2010. Made $7M last year, but could take less to make one last run to a title. Another good rebounder. 


Check back tomorrow for the next installment: Power Forwards

Geoff Craig



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