The Dallas Mavericks thought they were set. The team had verbal agreements from Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan, completing what they felt was a roster ready to battle in the Western Conference. However, that all changed when at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday Jordan re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving the Mavericks in the dark. Overlooked in this situation was the fact that Jeremy Lin also opted not to sign with the Mavericks which has Dallas searching for a point guard.
The Charlotte Hornets announced they signed Lin to a two-year contract worth $4.3 million. Lin was coming off a roller coaster year with the Los Angeles Lakers where he struggled in the system of Byron Scott. He made 30 starts in 74 games with the Lakers while averaging just 11.2 points per game. He now heads to Charlotte where he can rebuild he reputation in a smaller market team.
Lin was expected to sign with Dallas. The Mavericks lost Rajon Rondo and re-sign JJ Barea, but needed another point guard option on the roster. Now they are in some trouble considering Jordan is gone too. Is there a chance that the Mavericks could try and make a trade for a point guard as they now have salary cap space to fill before the season starts.
Several point guards may or may not be available based on other offseason moves. According to the Denver Post, Ty Lawson is available for the taking. The Nuggets originally shopped the point guard in hopes of getting a higher draft pick this year. Those deals failed to happen, but the Nuggets ended up drafting Emmanuel Mudiay, essentially pushing Lawson out the door. The Mavericks could try and put together a trade package that would likely involve draft picks for the Nuggets to fill the point guard spot.
Brandon Jennings could be an option. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons like a backcourt of Jennings and Reggie Jackson, but would they turn down a trade deal for the point guard considering the mega deal they just handed Jackson? Srouces are reporting that Jennings is not available, but if Mark Cuban gets desperate, he could try and move. The same can be said for Eric Bledsoe. The Phoenix Suns just gave a big contract to Brandon Knight, putting Bledsoe's future into question. Phoenix tried to trade him at the draft, but nothing came of it.
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, the Mavericks are also looking at bringing back Jason Terry on a contract. Terry saw some starting action last year with the Rockets and he would come relatively cheap. Outside of that, the Mavericks are left with very few options.