The Dallas Mavericks could make some major moves in the offseason, looking to attract not only some Texas natives in DeAndre Jordan and Julius Randle, but also likely a max-level player in DeMarcus Cousins, according to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.
“There have also been rumblings that the Dallas front office will look to make additions this summer that can put the team back on a winning track,” wrote O'Connor. “The Mavericks can create space to sign a max free agent, and multiple league sources expect them to pursue a trio of big men: DeAndre Jordan, DeMarcus Cousins, and restricted free agent Julius Randle. If the Mavericks do indeed plan to pursue expensive bigs in free agency, then it’d make sense to target a primary scorer, like Porter, rather than Bamba.”
Dirk Nowitzki should be coming back for his 21st season with the team, and one he had hoped it would be a successful season with the franchise to go out on a positive note.
Cousins is likely the best of all prizes, but he represents some level of risk after sustaining a season-ending Achilles injury this past season. The New Orleans Pelicans will have a tough time paying him a max contract and keeping other pieces like Rajon Rondo and Nikola Mirotic at the same time.
The Mavs are already familiar with Jordan and with no Blake Griffin to hold him prisoner at his own home, they could be in line to lure him out of Los Angeles.
Dallas can also opt for a radiant prospect in Julius Randle, who has shown sides of upside, flourishing into a consistent frontcourt presence with the Lakers last season, regaining his starting spot and averaging 16.1 points and eight rebounds per game last season.
If the Mavs can nail any of those three soon-to-be free agents, they could follow the trend of drafting a scoring option with their fifth overall pick. Depending on how the dominoes fall down, it could be any of The Juniors: Jaren Jackson Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., Michael Porter Jr., or even Marvin Bagley III if he slides down the draft board early.
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