NBA Free Agency rumors: Mavericks ‘serious contender’ for Derrick Rose

The Dallas Mavericks have come up as an interested party in the hunt for a past MVP.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Dallas Mavericks have recently emerged as a “serious contender” for point guard Derrick Rose.

The Mavericks making a play for the veteran is slightly baffling. They selected Dennis Smith Jr., a point guard out of North Carolina State, during the 2017 NBA Draft. Dallas looked to be building toward the future, but Rose represents the past.

Last season, as a member of the Wolfpack, Smith Jr. averaged 18.1 points per game. Additionally, he had 6.2 assist and 4.6 rebounds. He is an all-around player in the same vain as Rose.

Rose had his best season since his knee injury last season with the New York Knicks. He played 64 games in which he averaged 18 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. Rose will never return to the greatness that earned him the Most Valuable Player award in 2011, but the Mavericks still seem value in him.

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While Rose isn’t the best fit in Dallas, he could show Smith Jr. the ropes as the Mavericks hope to be utilizing him for many years to come. However, Rose will be an expensive acquisition.

The Mavericks are one of a number of teams to show interest in Derrick Rose. The Los Angeles Clippers, who have been busy this offseason, want him to fill the void left by Chris Paul. He is their top priority, according to Brad Turner of the LA Times. A bidding war could commence.

Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks re-signed Dirk Nowitzki to a two-year, $10 million contract. The future Hall of Famer could spend his whole career in Dallas. If they can add Rose, as well, Smith Jr. will be coming into the NBA with a ton of experience and wisdom surrounding him.