The Mavericks haven’t gotten any meaningful outside help this offseason.
They didn’t have a first-round draft pick, and they haven’t reached a deal with any other team’s unrestricted free agents.
Dallas might add restricted free agent Harrison Barnes, who agreed to sign a max offer sheet. But that depends on the Warriors, who are waiting to hear from Kevin Durant.
At least the Mavericks will retain a couple of their own free agents, Deron Williams and Dwight Powell.
Marc Stein of ESPN:
Deron Williams and the Mavericks have come to terms on a deal, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2016
The Mavericks and Deron Williams, sources say, have come to terms on a one-year deal for $10 million
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 4, 2016
Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports:
Dallas RFA Dwight Powell has agreed to a four-year, $37-plus million with the Mavericks, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2016
Dwight Powell will hold a player option in year four of his new Mavericks deal, sources tell The Vertical. Major part of Dallas' frontcourt.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2016
Williams was the best free agent point guard left, and he fit well in Dallas last season. For a team still trying to win as much as possible with Dirk Nowitzki, bringing back Williams was an easy call at this point.
He might not have a ton left in the tank at age 32 -- which is why the Mavericks pursued Mike Conley -- but a one-year deal limits the Mavericks’ exposure. I don’t see a better use of their money this offseason.
Powell, on the other hand, has far more upside entering his third NBA season. He also didn’t need to cost this much this season or next.
Because he was restricted by the Arenas rule, the most Powell could have earned through an offer sheet the next two years was $5,628,000 and $5,881,260. But Dallas would’ve risked a team making a backloaded offer (like the Nets are doing with Heat guard Tyler Johnson).
With limited productive ways to spend their cap space this summer, the Mavericks allocated more of it now to Powell in the hope it’ll pay off on the back end of the deal.
Powell is a quality finisher, and there are signs his jumper could develop. He moves his feet well defensively for a 6-foot-11 player, but he gets pushed around inside.
This is why Dallas wanted to sign more of a true center -- and better player -- in Hassan Whiteside.
And you can bemoan all the free agents the Mavericks missed this year... and the year before... and the year before... and... But, at this point, with so many top free agents locked in elsewhere, these moves make sense.