A year ago, the Dallas Mavericks cleared cap room in hopes of wooing a star like Dwight Howard or Chris Paul, but Howard signed with the Houston Rockets and Paul re-upped in Los Angeles with the Clippers.
The Mavericks instead signed Monta Ellis and things worked out with the Mavericks returning to the playoffs. This offseason, the team will likely be in the market again.
According to Tim McMahon of ESPN Dallas, the Mavericks could pursue the likes of Phoenix Suns’ point guard Eric Bledsoe, Washington Wizards’ center Marcin Gortat and Cleveland Cavaliers’ small forward Luol Deng.
"Dallas would certainly like to be involved in the Carmelo Anthony derby but not if he demands a super-max deal with a starting salary of more than $22 million. The Mavs will have interest in Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe and Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat, but it’ll likely be extremely difficult to woo them away from their current teams, particularly with Bledsoe being a free agent. Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Luol Deng, whose defensive ability and toughness appeal to Carlisle, will likely be near the top of the Mavs’ wish list. (Indiana Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson, on the other hand, will not be.)"
Bledsoe, the most sought after of the group, is a restricted free agent and the Suns are expected to match any offer.