The Mavericks’ interest in DeMarcus Cousins could affect their draft strategy, writes Peter Dawson of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Cousins seemed like a lock to re-sign with the Pelicans before a ruptured Achilles in January sidelined him for the rest of the season. With his condition still uncertain, New Orleans may be reluctant to offer a full max contract, which could lead Cousins to look elsewhere.
Dallas may have as much as $35MM in cap room this summer, and owner Mark Cuban has said he plans to be aggressive on the free agent market. When Cousins was still in Sacramento, the Mavs called the Kings several times trying to work out a deal, and league sources say their interest remains strong.
If Dallas plans to make a play for Cousins or another big man, that will change the approach to the No. 5 pick, where Texas center Mohamed Bamba may be available. A report from Sean Deveney of The Sporting News indicated the Celtics are interested in Bamba and would like to deal for the Mavericks’ selection.
There’s more news today out of Dallas:
- The Mavericks need to find a “new-age” center who can shoot from the outside and still be a dominant rebounder, notes Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Sefko examines several free agent possibilities, including Cousins, Enes Kanter, Jusuf Nurkic, DeAndre Jordan and Clint Capela. He states that the Rockets are likely to match any offer that Capela receives, but their position could change if they need to create cap room to sign LeBron James.
- Power forward is another position of need that could be solved through free agency, Sefko writes in a separate story. Julius Randle, a restricted free agent with the Lakers and a Dallas-area native, is an obvious choice, with Thaddeus Young, Montrezl Harrell, Derrick Favors and Ed Davis as other possibilities.
- Pierre Jackson, who played eight games for the Mavericks in 2016/17, talked to Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype about his experiences with Maccabi Tel Aviv this season and his desire to return to the NBA. “That’s my ultimate goal – to play at the highest level in basketball, play against the guys I grew up watching, and be able to stay at home [in the United States] to play in front of my family,” Jackson said. “Getting back to the NBA will be my goal until I can’t walk anymore.”
They should sign Cousins and Randle, if it’s even possible. Mavs basketball would be back.
Jaylen Brown who they would target if they traded the pick to the Celtics? Brown and a 1st?
I highly doubt the Celtics trade Brown, they’ll more than likely form a package around Rozier and the Sacramento pick. Jaylen Brown is 21 and was top 5 in defensive rating amongst guards, he does not have a superstar ceiling but he certainly will be a perennial all-star.
I do like the idea of Boogie to Dallas & if you can add Randle all the better, definitely Dallas would be in contention for playoff again. Hoping Boogie can recover to a similar level that he was before the injury, he would thrive been the superstar of this team, with Dallas building around him with (maybe Randle) DSJ, Barnes & the #5 maybe they could then get MPJ or Doncic if it hasn’t gone by then… that would be some team.
Serge Ibaka for Wesley Matthews
Lol wut
I would rather have Randle than Cousins and add a C in the draft. Cousins is one, if not the best center in the game but he’s not a winner
Plus there’s a chance he comes back playing below the standard he did just prior to his injury
Trade Matthews for a bag of basketballs. Draft Bamba. Add Randle.
PG – DSJ
SG – Ferrell
SF – Barnes
PF – Randle
C – Bamba