The Dallas Mavericks have expressed “exploratory interest” in Kelly Oubre Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr., according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Both Oubre Jr. and Jones Jr. are unrestricted free agents. The former played for the Charlotte Hornets last season, while the latter was with the Chicago Bulls. Both the Hornets and Bulls missed the 2023 playoffs.
“In other news, the Mavericks have also expressed exploratory interest in several free agent forwards, including Kelly Oubre Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr., league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.
Oubre Jr. appeared in 48 games for the Hornets last season. He averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 43.1% from the field, 31.9% from beyond the arc and 76.0% from the free-throw line. The 27-year-old has career averages of 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists with the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Hornets.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kelly Oubre Jr, Derrick Jones Jr & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Meanwhile, Jones Jr. put up 5.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game for the Bulls last season while shooting 50.0% overall, 33.8% from 3 and 73.8% from the free-throw line. The 26-year-old has career averages of 6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds with the Suns, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers and Bulls.
The Mavericks missed the playoffs (and play-in tournament) last season despite having Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. It will be interesting to see if owner Mark Cuban and general manager Nico Harrison sign Oubre Jr. or Jones Jr.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kelly Oubre Jr, Derrick Jones Jr & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Dallas re-signed Irving and Dwight Powell, traded for Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics and Richaun Holmes from the Sacramento Kings and signed Seth Curry and Dante Exum this summer. Irving has a 15% trade kicker in his new contract with the Mavericks, according to Scotto. A trade kicker is the percentage of a player’s salary that is awarded as a bonus in the event of a trade.
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