Mavericks Rumors: Mahinmi, West, Williams, Kidd
Here's the latest on the Mavericks, who are expected to be one of the NBA's busiest teams this summer:
- Ian Mahinmi reiterates to Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com that he "really" wants to remain a Maverick.
- Delonte West would also like to return to Dallas, though Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas thinks it's unlikely. West is hopeful that he's played well enough to earn a multiyear deal in free agency, says Caplan.
- Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News outlines how the Mavericks can create cap room to offer Deron Williams a maximum contract. Sefko argues the Mavs could have about $23MM in cap space to spend on free agents if they amnesty Brendan Haywood and renounce most of their own free agents, but I'm not sure the math adds up. Cap holds for empty roster spots and partial guarantees for players like Vince Carter and Lamar Odom will make it tricky to offer Williams a max deal without making another move or two.
- The Mavs' offseason isn't necessarily a case of Williams-or-bust, says Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Jason Kidd still feels like he can help a team win, and hopes that happens in Dallas, writes Earl K. Sneed of NBA.com.
Sefko On Mavs’ Summer Moves
SportsDayDFW's Eddie Sefko answered some questions in a two-part mailbag (part 1 here, part 2 here) about the Dallas Mavericks' future moves, including which players may or may not be brought back.
- Among the current Mavs players Sefko speculates will not be in Dallas next season are Ian Mahinmi, Vince Carter, Delonte West, and Brian Cardinal, in addition to the all-but-guaranteed departure of Lamar Odom.
- Sefko thinks there's a chance Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, and Brendan Haywood remain in Dallas. Terry will be an unrestricted free agent, Marion has been discussed often in trades, and Haywood is widely believed to be a candidate for Dallas' amnesty clause.
- In addition to Deron Williams, whom it is common knowledge the Mavs will pursue heavily this offseason, Sefko is intrigued by Utah's C.J. Miles as a possible backcourt partner.
- Haywood isn't a sure thing to be amnestied, but the Mavs are still banking on Dwight Howard being in play at some point, at which time it's a lock that they will cut ties with him.
- Sefko believes that if the Mavs sign Williams and retain Marion, free agents will be interested in signing in Dallas for below market value.