Potential Mavs Free Agency Targets (Part 5 - Point 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:

Point Guard

Newly acquired Raymond Felton is an upgrade over Jose Calderon defensively, but his work ethic and character are a concern. Rick Carlisle has transformed this type of layer before.

1) Devin Harris – 6’3” - 7.9 ppg, 4.5 apg

Mavs and Carlisle love this guy. Efficiency was back up in return to Mavs. Toe injury forced him to sign 1-year deal last year. Looking for 3 year $9M for a return.

2) Kurt Hinrich – 6’3” 9.1 ppg, 3.9 apg

Smart and tough, can still hit the three and run a team. A solid backup in Chicago the past few seasons. Played for $4M last year, Mavs will want him for Mid-Level exception ($2.7M).

3) Greivis Vasquez – 6’4” - 9.6 ppg, 4.1 apg

Big, Strong, and deceptively quick. High Basketball IQ. Good on ball defender. Could be the steal of Free Agency. $2.1M contract last year.

4) Mo Williams - 6'1"  - 9.7 ppg, 4.3 apg

Good Scorer with great ball handling skills. High assist to turnover ratio. Has defensive lapses. Could be a Mid-Level exception ($2.7M) player later in Free Agency.

That concludes my list of potential Free Agency Targets for the Dallas Mavericks. We'll see what happens from July 1-10.

Geoffrey Craig

@geoffrey_craig

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