The Dallas Mavericks have spent the past two seasons getting spurned by the biggest free agents and after losing out once again on Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum, the team will go after Greg Oden and Samuel Dalembert as their next targets.
According to ESPN.com, the Mavs will go after Oden and Dalembert after losing out on Bynum, as they need more size and depth on the inside next season. Dalembert previously played with the team for a number of years and with Nikola Pekovic returning to Minnesota, they are the next two options for Mark Cuban. The 32-year-old Dalembert can give size and shot blocking to the team after starting 23 games last season for the Bucks.
Dalembert was solid in those games, averaging 6.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in about 16 minutes per game. Put over a stretch of per-36 minute production, Dalembert was solid with 14.7 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks and while he likely won't put that up, it could be some solid production for the Mavericks as he looks to play for his fifth team in five seasons.
The Mavericks had hoped to sign Bynum, but after looking at his knee injury and other issues, they lost out on him to the Cavaliers. The center is expected to meet with the Mavericks on Thursday and the team likely will try to sign him or Oden to make up for losing out on Bynum and Howard. Oden could be a solid option if he is healthy, as he is still just 25 after being a former number one overall pick despite not playing in the league since 2009.
Oden played 82 games for the Blazers and averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in those games and he is being pursued by San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies. Oden has looked good according to sources and while he has had knee problems, someone is going to take a chance on him to use down low and to come off the bench.
Odom has been working out this offseason and he even had time to take in a Justin Bieber concert, according to Deadspin.com. The website posted a picture of him with some fans at the show in Indianapolis. The team also is hopeful that Monta Ellis may sign, as he is still trying to figure out what team to join after firing his agent with the Kings, Hawks, Mavs and Bobcats looking likely.
