These NBA free agents are the best fits for the Dallas Mavericks
Are you ready?
Now that the dust has settled from the NBA Draft we can look forward to the start of NBA free agency, which, at least on social media, is as entertaining as the season itself.
Players can’t technically sign with a new team until July 1, but there are already phone calls, texts, secret meetings and speculation galore about potential new destinations for some of the league's top talents.
At the top of that mountain sits LeBron James. The King could remain in Cleveland, prove odds makers correct by joining the Lakers, or sign with one of the other title contenders. No matter where James elects to take his talents, his decision will have a domino effect on where the other top free agents land.
However, it’s possible that his decision does not impact the Mavericks.
Here are the Top 5 best-fit free agents for the Mavericks:
5. DeMarcus Cousins, C, Sacramento Kings (2010-17), New Orleans Pelicans (2016-18)
In terms of talent, he’s the best true big man in this year’s free-agent crop. In the past six seasons, the 27-year-old has averaged over 25 points and 10 rebounds per game. And his brief two-year stint with the Pelicans proved he can thrive on a competitive team.
The Mavericks have already said they feel “confident” in their chances to sign him. But the risks are significant. During his time in Sacramento, it didn’t take much to trigger a meltdown on and off the court. He’s also coming off a major Achilles injury and has only played 65 games the past two seasons.
4. Jabari Parker, F, Milwaukee Bucks (2014-18)
Speaking of injury concerns, this Duke product has missed a ton of time recovering from major surgeries. So, don’t expect him to last the season.
Still, Parker averaged 20 points and 6 rebounds two seasons ago, and he just turned 23 this past March. He could be an interesting gamble as a stretch-four, provided the Mavericks get him at a price that is firmly below the top of the market.
3. Jusuf Nurkic, C, Denver Nuggets (2014-17), Portland Trail Blazers (2016-18)
Like Parker, he’s just 23. And his height (6-foot-11), defensive prowess and ability to rebound (he’s averaged 9 and 10 per game the past two seasons) make him a perfect candidate on paper.
However, he lacks agility that’s becoming more of a focal point in today’s game and he’s limited offensively. Before last season, some thought Nurkic could be in line for a max deal. If he’s accepted the limitations of his skillset and a decline in his market, he could end up in Dallas.
2. Julius Randle, F, Los Angeles Lakers (2014-18)
Physically, Randle lacks length and has a tendency to struggle with nimble stretch-fours on the perimeter. It’s also very possible he’s reached his ceiling offensively.
But if he maintains his offensive output from last season (a career high 16 points and 8 rebounds per game) is something Rick Carlisle, who has gushed about Randle before, needs in his lineup. Plus, Randle is from Dallas and attended Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano.
1. Clint Capela, C, Houston Rockets (2014-18)
This is the Mavericks’ white whale. He’s only 24 and he’s got the height (6-foot-10), size (240 pounds),and length (7-foot-5 wingspan) to firmly establish himself as one of the premier paint patrollers in the NBA. Offensively, his numbers are on the way up, too (last season he averaged a career-best 14 points and 11 rebounds per game).
The problem is that he’s a restricted free agent, which means the Rockets can match any offer (including the "Max" deal it’s likely going to take to sign him). The other issue is that the Mavericks aren’t the only team with the ability to offer that deal.
Of all the available free agents not named James, Paul George and Kevin Durant, Capela is easily the best fit in Dallas. It’s just going to take a wildly impressive pitch from Mark Cuban and Carlisle to convince him to leave one of the NBA’s best teams — and then the Rockets' deciding they don't want to pay him
This story was originally published June 28, 2018 at 10:00 AM.