NBA Free Agency Rumors: Mavericks pursuing Harrison Barnes?

The Dallas Mavericks have thus far had a miserable 2016 NBA free agency. However, will that all change by offering a maximum contract to Harrison Barnes?

According to Basketball Insiders’ Alex Kennedy, “the Dallas Mavericks are thinking of extending an offer sheet to RFA Harrison Barnes.”

The Mavericks for whatever reason can’t seem to land a top-tier free agent despite playing in a major media market for a great owner in Mark Cuban. Yes, Dirk Nowitzki is in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career, but in 2016 NBA free agency, free agents have either spurned the Mavericks or have used them as leverage to get a bigger deal.

Former small forward Chandler Parsons made it abundantly clear that he was done with the Mavericks, choosing to sign a multi-year deal with their Southwest Division rival Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis point guard Mike Conley thought briefly about leaving the Grizzlies, only to use the Mavericks to make him the highest paid player in NBA history on his five-year maximum contract.

Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside was almost certainly coming to Dallas once he became a free agent. After considering the Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers, Whiteside went back to South Beach.

Just hearing news about the Mavericks thinking about considering giving Barnes an offer sheet signifies both how desperate Cuban is to land a star player and frankly how deflated the entire organization feels about itself after having another lousy free agency period.

Could Barnes go to the Mavericks? Potentially, but that idea is entirely contingent on what Kevin Durant decides to do. If Durant goes to the Warriors after nine years with the Oklahoma City Thunder, then maybe Barnes does go to Dallas. If Durant re-ups on a one-year deal with Oklahoma City, then there is no way Golden State lets Barnes walk in restricted free agency.

For more NBA free agency news, please check out our NBA free agency category page.