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Dallas Mavericks: Latest move good news for free-agent centers

By Rucker Haringey

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 02: Doug McDermott #20 of the Dallas Mavericks moves between Denzel Valentine #45 (rear) and Cameron Payne #22 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 2, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Mavericks 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 02: Doug McDermott #20 of the Dallas Mavericks moves between Denzel Valentine #45 (rear) and Cameron Payne #22 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 2, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Mavericks 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks surprised more than a few people by rescinding Doug McDermott’s qualifying offer. The money will aid the team’s desire to sign a new center.

Doug McDermott originally believed he had a decision to make about his future with the Dallas Mavericks. Then Dallas elected to withdraw his qualifying offer as quickly as they’d extended it.

By doing so, the Mavs sent a clear message to the rest of the league that they’re going big game hunting at the center position.

The team has the ability to open up approximately $30 million in cap space if they renounce their various free agents. After adding Luka Doncic in the first round of this year’s draft, the Mavericks suddenly have an intriguing starting lineup.

Starting Doncic alongside Dennis Smith Jr. gives Rick Carlisle a talented backcourt to build on. The combination of Harrison Barnes and Wes Matthews gives him two talented wings as well.

Unless you believe Dirk Nowitzki is going to rediscover the ability to be an All-NBA player, that leaves the team in need of a starting center. That should be the focus of almost all of their remaining cap space.

Fortunately for Dallas, there are quite a few interesting big men they could sign to round out their starting five.

Perhaps the simplest option would be to sign DeMarcus Cousins as a free agent. His recovery from a torn Achilles is a major red flag, as is his questionable attitude. Before his injury he was well on his way to a max deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Now, it’s unclear just how much it will cost to sign him as a free agent. Dallas certainly has the cap space to make a compelling offer.

If Cousins doesn’t turn out to be their cup of tea, restricted free agent Julius Randle might be. The Los Angeles Lakers have some interest in retaining the former Kentucky star, but they won’t break the bank to keep him.

If the Mavericks see fit to make a sizable offer, it’s very likely they can steal him away from Magic Johnson and Co.

Another intriguing option for the Mavs would be to finally acquire DeAndre Jordan. They almost acquired him the last time he was a free agent, but he ultimately decided to return to the Los Angeles Clippers.

First, Jordan has a sizable decision to make about whether or not opt into the last year of his contract in L.A. He could make over $24 million in 2018-19, but he might be tempted to opt out to secure more guaranteed money over the long haul.

The Mavericks could be players for his services either way. It’s possible they could be interested in acquiring him via a trade with the Clippers if he opts in. L.A. wouldn’t ask for much in return and would be reasonably pleased to dump his salary.

If he opts out, the situation obviously becomes even simpler for Dallas. They would be free to sign him as an unrestricted free agent without owing any compensation to the Clippers.

Next: NBA Free Agency: 5 most overrated players

Not many teams are armed with cap space this summer, but the Mavericks do have money to burn. Look for them to push to sign a big-name center for a big-time bargain. Just because they have cap space doesn’t mean they’ll be stuck overpaying the center of their choice.

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