The Dallas Mavericks have missed out on another potential target in free agency as the team continues to fill the remaining holes on the roster. Dallas did not have the offseason they were planning on, but key additions in Wesley Matthews and JJ Barea will certainly be critical help. Now the team just needs defensive players and after not getting Josh Smith, JaVale McGee and Carlos Boozer are the favorites.
According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the Los Angeles Clippers won the race to sign Josh Smith who accepted a veteran's minimum contract in order to win. ESPN's Tim MacMahon originally placed Smith as an option for the Mavericks as the team would favor his versatility and scoring coming off the bench in place of someone like Dirk Nowitzki. However, now they must re-adjust their plans moving forward with Smith off the market.
ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting that JaVale McGee is likely headed to Dallas as there is mutual interest between the two teams. McGee is considered to have a lot of potential and a high ceiling in the NBA, but immaturity and injuries have stunted his progress. The Mavericks like the height and defensive abilities that McGee brings to the court and believe he could be a valuable asset to backup someone like Zaza Pachulia who was acquired in a trade.
The Mavericks have some size options on the market, but if they intend on acquiring someone they need to do it quickly. Carlos Boozer remains available and while he had a quiet year with the Los Angeles Lakers, he is healthy and can still contribute. Boozer would come very cheap for the Mavericks, likely accepting a deal similar to what Smith signed in Los Angeles. There is also the idea of a trade for someone like Kenneth Faried. If the Mavericks want a home run pick, Faried would be it. According to the Denver Post, Faried is available for trading as the Nuggets look to continue rebuilding. He would be a solid option after the DeAndre Jordan debacle.
The Mavericks do not want to rebuild. According to the Dallas Morning News, if the Mavericks are intending to rebuild, they need to trade Dirk Nowitzki and really start over. That is not happening. Instead, the Mavericks will try and make one or two more roster additions before letting the depth chart play itself out. Much of the team's success depends on the health of players like Chandler Parsons and Matthews while McGee or Boozer could take care of depth on defense. That might not make the Mavericks contenders in the Western Conference, but count on Mark Cuban to try everything.