The Mavericks are actively looking to improve their roster and have shown “exploratory interest in several free agent forwards,” including veterans Kelly Oubre and Derrick Jones Jr., league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Although Dallas technically still has a good chunk of its full mid-level exception available, the team has yet to sign first-rounder Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and once that occurs the Mavs will be pretty close to the luxury tax line. They do have an open standard roster spot and could offer a free agent more money than the veteran’s minimum, but not much more unless other moves are made.
On a related note, Scotto confirms that the Mavs continue to shop Tim Hardaway Jr. and JaVale McGee in trade talks. Recent rumors have indicated Dallas tried to package Hardaway and McGee to the Pistons for Bojan Bogdanovic and Killian Hayes.
Scotto hears Detroit was looking for “essentially two first-round picks” in exchange for Bogdanovic last season, though Hayes could available with a glut of guards on the Pistons’ roster.
Here are more free agent rumors from Scotto:
- Free agent guard Armoni Brooks, who has been playing well for the Nets in Summer League, could be a candidate for a two-way deal from Brooklyn, according to Scotto. However, if that doesn’t transpire, the 25-year-old has also drawn interest from “multiple EuroLeague teams,” Scotto reports. Brooks holds two years of NBA experience with the Rockets and Raptors. He played for Atlanta’s G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, in 2022/23.
- League sources tell Scotto that the Hornets offered Dennis Smith Jr. more than the veteran’s minimum to return to Charlotte, but the Nets reached out to the point guard right after free agency opened and he saw an opportunity for more playing time in Brooklyn. The fact that he was a priority for the Nets also appealed to the former lottery pick, says Scotto.
- The Pistons, Cavaliers, Knicks and Bucks were among the teams who watched Harry Giles‘ recent workout in Las Vegas, sources tell Scotto. Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News recently reported that members of the Timberwolves attended as well, which Scotto confirms. A former first-round pick, Giles has been out of the league the past two seasons after playing with the Kings and Trail Blazers from 2018-21. Still just 25 years old, Giles recently discussed his attempt to make it back into the NBA.
Which of these sets of twins would you rather have on your team if you could have them as rookies & for their entire career, Marcus & Markieff Morris, Robin & Brook Lopez, Cody & Caleb Martin, Jaden & Jalen McDaniels, Kris & Keegan Murray or Amen & Ausar Thompson? Rank a top3 if possible & feel free to include Taylor Hendricks & his brother, Anthony Davis & his sister & any other current NBA twins I forgot…
IA AD’S sister Helga from Hey Arnold?
Brook and Robin would be lock down your Center and backup C position for countless years, and it is awfully difficult not to be in absolute awe of how Brook Lopez has been able to alter his game and change with the times to stay as one of the game’s most consistent big men…
Their story’s have already been told though, it would be alot more difficult to pick the Thompson brothers, even with all their collective upside..
Brook and Robin had two more than respectable NBA careers over a long period of time, and they had to do it all the while their position was being completely changed…
Hard to believe Oubre is still a free agent. He’s coming off a 20 ppg season. Sure his three point percentage kills him, but he’s an above average defender and he’s ok as a third option on offense. Couple of weeks ago I would have thought he could get 36m, 3 years. Maybe with a team option in the third one.
Please explain how Oubre is an above average defender?
Oubre will get signed. He can score and that is what you want coming off your bench. Every year you see a player that is unsigned weeks after FA began and say wow. Oubre is that guy in 2023. What hurts him is the impression he gives off. Like I’m really a good basketball player and you need me. When it should be, I am a good player that needs to get better and be a team leader.
I’m going to be bummed if Oubre signs for an amount that fits in the Mavs’ available salary, but they opt not to sign him in the hopes of getting a trade done, and then no trade happens.
Amari Brooks is so underrated by the league. The kid is good and it’s hard to see him jump from team to team. He is not bad defensively and pretty streaky shooter when on his game.
I wouldn’t mind Oubre on the Knicks. Replace Fournier contract and sign Oubre.