The Dallas Mavericks are set at four positions: DeAndre Jordan is now in the center slot, Dirk Nowitzki at the four, Chandler Parsons at the three, and Wesley Matthews (coming off Achilles surgery) at the two.
But point guard is a big hole.
There are conversations to bring back J.J. Barea but he alone is not enough.
Jeremy Lin is considering putting his name in the Mavericks’ 10-gallon hat — and taking less money to do it, reports Marc Stein at ESPN.Dallas only has limited funds to offer, but sources told ESPN.com that Lin is giving the Mavericks strong consideration even though he can likely make more money elsewhere.
Lin’s relationship with Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons from their days as teammates in Houston, sources said, has kept Dallas in the race despite its lack of financial flexibility. Parsons, of course, had a huge hand in the recruiting of DeAndre Jordan to the Mavericks in the richest free-agent score in team history.
What would be smart for Lin is a two-year deal with an opt-out after one. He could ideally show off an improved game — one with fewer turnovers, ideally — and how he helps a contender, then re-enter the free agency market as the cap spike.
Lin is a respectable reserve point guard in the NBA — when allowed to be aggressive in transition, and in the pick-and-roll, he can make things happen. But he turns the ball over on 17.7 percent of his possessions used and he isn’t much of a defender.
He likely can make more than the minimum or, at best (if they waive and stretch Raymond Felton) $2.6 million the Mavericks could offer, but there may not be a better opportunity for Lin than Dallas.