Hard to tell how real his numbers are, but the talent that got him drafted as high as he was is still there and the tape from Indiana is intriguing.įilling out the roster with minimum deals Jalen Smith, center: Only 22-years-old and a former lottery pick, Smith was dropped from the Suns and showed some good things during a stint with the tanking Pacers.Would fit well as a backup wing in Dallas, providing critical minutes so Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock can get some rest. Otto Porter, forward: After playing on a huge contract in Washington and Chicago, he reinvented himself as a solid role player last season with the Warriors, starting in the Finals and help the team win a title.Wouldn’t offer much defense or rebounding or passing, but he puts the ball in the bucket on somewhat efficient numbers. A total unknown, as his rehab has been extremely slow. TJ Warren, forward: Had an incredible bubble run in 2020 and has always been a decent scorer, but he hasn’t played a game since Dec.Would fit well in Dallas off the bench but might have earned a slightly bigger payday than the mini mid-level and the Nets will want him back to surround their star core. ![]() Bruce Brown, forward: A jack-of-all trade glue guy for the Nets.There will be a competitive market for him. He made almost $21 million last season, so it seems absurd he could be had for the mini mid-level, but he’s fallen off the NBA map since being shipped to Orlando. Harris got healthier in Orlando and started to resemble the quality starter he was in Denver. Gary Harris, guard: It wasn’t that long ago when Harris was considered a premier 3-and-D guard, before some injuries in Denver derailed his career, leading to him being included in a trade for Aaron Gordon.Showed previously in Milwaukee that he can be a capable role player off the bench for a contender. Donte DiVincenzo, guard: Sort of got lost in the shuffle after getting traded to Sacramento, which is usually what happens when players get traded to the Kings.He showed some promise and flashes of his former two-way guard self, but will be a risky gamble with the injuries. Victor Oladipo, guard: The former All-NBA guard has had a brutal injury history the last four years and he barely played last season with the Miami Heat, returning from his latest lower leg surgery.Likely to return to LA and doesn’t play much defense, but an option to help improve the bench scoring the Mavericks will need if Brunson leaves. Malik Monk, guard: Had a breakout season with the Lakers, averaging almost 14 points per game on decent shooting numbers (47.3 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from three).Knowing that, here are some potential names of players that might fit in that exemption: If Brunson leaves, they’ll likely expand that to a guard as well. Since the Mavericks traded their first rounder from the 2022 draft for Christian Wood, it’s likely Dallas looks for perimeter or wing help with this exemption. It’s not much, but they can at least do something with that exemption. Options with the Tax Payer Mid-LevelĪfter the Brunson decision, the next thing the Mavericks can do is try to sign a player with the tax payer mid-level exemption, which will be worth a little over $6 million per year over three years. If Brunson leaves it’ll be a gut-punch, if he stays it’ll be a miraculous save. With the Mavericks cap options limited, retaining Brunson is the biggest and best move they can do this summer, barring an unexpected trade. Brunson staying is the best case scenario for the Mavericks, as they will be capped out even if he leaves. It’s very likely that this is just to help cover up the obvious tampering the Knicks have done, but it’s at least something. While reports on Tuesday night and most of Wednesday indicated Brunson is almost assuredly gone, a ray of light emerged when Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes said Brunson will still be holding meetings with the three teams that want to sign him - Knicks, Heat, and Mavericks. Here’s what you need to know going into free agency: Brunson’s decision will shape free agency Despite that, and the fact that the Mavericks will be capped out, Dallas can use the tax payer’s mid-level exception and veteran's minimum to fill the empty roster holes. The Mavericks currently have +1500 odds according to DraftKings to win next season’s NBA title, and that can only drop if Brunson leaving becomes official. Dallas is capped out regardless of Jalen Brunson’s decision, so they’ll have to get creative and be smart to make roster improvements. ![]() NBA free agency is upon us yet again, but this time the Mavericks have limited options for improvement.
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