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NBA free agency: Mavericks now players for Kevin Durant in 2016?

By Charles Rahrig V

Oct 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Thunder defeated the Mavericks 118-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Thunder defeated the Mavericks 118-109. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the signing of star center DeAndre Jordan, are the Dallas Mavericks suddenly contenders to sign Kevin Durant during next year’s free agency?

The Dallas Mavericks finally landed a big name free agent when they came to terms on a four-year, $80 million deal with center DeAndre Jordan.

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Many times in free agency, the Mavericks have gone after the big fish and have struck out swinging multiple times. Now with Jordan anchoring their defense for many years to come and a plethora of talented players on the roster, they will field a good team for years.

They will also continue to be contenders for big-name free agents, and now that they got one, the path to landing another might be easier than before. Dallas could once again be players in the free-agent market next summer when the NBA salary cap begins to make a sharp hike.

Of course, next free agency offers several big prizes and the Mavericks are armed with Jordan and talented players. Could they perhaps be after the biggest prize of them all according to SI’s Chris Mannix.

Who is that prize? Why it’s none other than Oklahoma City‘s Kevin Durant.

It’s a lot easier said than done when it will come to landing Durant, because lots of teams will have plenty of cap space and Durant will have almost everyone chasing after him. He could also sign a longer deal with the Thunder, and get a significant more by re-signing.

While Durant is from Washington D.C., and could certainly look to head back east, he played his college ball at Texas, and the Mavericks are certainly one of the teams that make a lot of sense for his services. They can offer the likes of Jordan and Dirk Nowitzki up front. While Nowitzki is getting older, he has always been a team player first and is still one of the most talented big men in the league.

The roster also boasts guys like Chandler Parsons and Wes Matthews, both talented shooters that could be paired alongside Durant. One thing we learned from the Golden State Warriors this year, is that you can never have enough shooters, and having plenty of capable shooters along with a defensive anchor is a recipe for success in this league.

Owner Mark Cuban always takes care of his players and will certainly be looking to bring in more talent to make Dallas look like even more of an enticing option. Free agency next year is still a ways off, but there’s no doubt that everyone will be knocking on Durant’s door when it begins.

The Dallas Mavericks are already in position to make a compelling argument for his services.

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