One NBA writer believes the Dallas Mavericks need to address the center position this offseason.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report thinks the Mavericks should pursue Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, Minnesota Timberwolves big man Naz Reid and Boston Celtics power forward Grant Williams.
Lopez and Reid become unrestricted free agents this offseason, while Williams will become a restricted free agent.
“Perhaps no team has a greater variance in potential offseason outcome than these Mavericks, who need to re-sign Kyrie Irving and fill in the rest of the gaps on this roster,” Swartz wrote. “Even if Irving comes back, Christian Wood and Dwight Powell can both sign elsewhere. JaVale McGee clearly wasn’t the answer at center, so more help in the frontcourt is needed.
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“Lopez would be the dream target, an elite defensive center who made 37.9 percent of his threes this season and has 78 playoff starts under his belt. When he says no, Reid and Williams would serve as potential starters instead. Reid, 23, averaged 16.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks in 11 games as a starter with the Minnesota Timberwolves and can knock down threes as well. Williams is a bit undersized to play the five full-time, but he’s strong for his 6’6″ frame and made 40.2 percent of his three-pointers over the past two years.”
The Mavericks missed the play-in tournament this season despite having Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Dallas was only 5-11 in games Doncic and Irving played together this season. That was the worst winning percentage (.313) for a pair of teammates who were both All-Stars since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976-77, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
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Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Duke product is widely expected to re-sign with the Mavericks, who can offer him the most money in free agency. Both Doncic and Dallas head coach Jason Kidd want Irving back.
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