Dallas, TX
Free agency rumors: Mavericks interested in lockdown defender, two shooting guards
The Dallas Mavericks have had an underwhelming first two days of free agency to say the least.
They re-signed Kyrie Irving, which was absolutely necessary, but since haven’t made the flashiest moves.
Dallas signed Seth Curry to a two-year deal which gives Luka Doncic another shooter, re-signed Dwight Powell, and signed Dante Exum. None of these moves were necessarily bad, but fans were expecting more after draft night, especially after what Mavericks’ general manager Nico Harrison said.
“This is just the beginning. We’re going to continue to address all our needs.”
– Nico Harrison
Some of the Mavericks’ obvious needs after draft night were adding a starting center and wings that can defend. And since they haven’t made a move to address either need.
But hopefully that changes soon.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Dallas Mavericks are interested in forward Grant Williams.
Williams averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game last season for the Boston Celtics. He can guard multiple positions and would be a great piece to add to the Mavericks’ core, as he is only 24 years old. Williams is also a consistent catch-and-shoot three-point shooter, as he shot 39.5 percent from downtown.
He would be a great pickup for the Mavs and would have the potential to start. Williams can take on any defensive assignment that the team asks of him, and has experience playing in the NBA Finals.
Some other players that Scotto mentioned the Mavericks have interest in are Malik Beasley and Terence Davis.
Beasley played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah last season and averaged 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. He was a valuable piece for the Lakers during the regular season but was nonexistent in the playoffs. Beasley only averaged 8.3 minutes and three points per game in the playoffs.
He would be a good volume scorer for this team, and he shoots a lot of threes, but he wouldn’t address any of Dallas’ obvious needs.
Davis, on the other hand, averaged 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game last season while playing for the Sacramento Kings. His stats have regressed every season he has played in Sacramento, but so have his minutes. Davis is still a solid 3-and-D player, as he is a 36.6 percent three-point shooter for his career, but he isn’t a starting-caliber player that the Mavs should use their MLE on.
Davis would be a good energy guy off the bench, but doesn’t move the needle much for this team.
Stay tuned to see Dallas’ next move in free agency and if they land any of these players. We’ll have you covered with all the latest free agency news, so stay tuned.