The Dallas Mavericks have signed free agent Samuel Dalembert to a contract after looking to add a rim protector this summer and it comes after the team signed Deron Williams to join Raymond Felton at point guard on the roster and now Dalembert will try and replace Tyson Chandler up front.
The Mavs reportedly had interest in JaVale McGee and Kevin Seraphin in free agency and Marc Stein at ESPN reported the team met with Dalembert last week. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Dalembert has signed a one-year deal. Tim MacMahon reports for ESPN Dallas that the Dalembert deal will be on a minimum salary.
Stein reports that McGee is "still on their radar" and Pro Basketball Talk adds that the team has also looked at Tunisian player Salah Mejri. Stein reported over the weekend that the team would look at Mejri as another depth option if McGee doesn't work out. Stein reported that the interest in McGee was "exploratory" for the Mavericks and that the team has "not ruled out" signing McGee despite adding Dalembert.
The Mavericks traded for Zaza Pachulia after losing DeAndre Jordan to the Clippers and now Dalembert joins the roster as another center option. Dalembert averaged four points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season in 32 games and in his last season with the Mavs he averaged six points and nearly seven rebounds per game. Williams is coming in after signing a two year deal with the Mavericks for $10 million and he will compete to start with Felton in camp.
The Mavericks also could look at Mike Miller as an option, as Stein reports that the Blazers are expected to waive Miller after his trade from the Cavaliers to Portland. Stein reports that the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Mavericks could be landing spots for Miller. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Warriors are a potential option, but Miller may have to wait until closer to the season to sign, as most teams have their rosters set for the summer.
Miller was a reserve player last season with the Cavaliers and he likely is looking for a spot where he can have more playing time. Miller averaged two points per game last season and shot 32 percent from the floor in 52 games. Miller can be a solid bench option for long range shooting and the Mavericks could be a fit after the moves they have made this offseason. The team missed out on DeAndre Jordan after he bolted back to the Clippers, but the team now has Zaza Pachulia, Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams coming in.
Matthews could end up being a great signing if he stays healthy and Williams is coming in fairly cheap after his buyout from the Nets. Williams is on a two year deal worth $10 million and he is likely going to be the starter with Raymond Felton and Devin Harris on the roster. Last season Williams played in 68 games and averaged 13 points and 6.6 assists per game.