Things are getting hairy in the free agency front. With virtually all the larger names off the board, the moves the Mavericks have made seem to be the last ones they’re willing to make unless something changes. Dallas should stop the nonsense and go get Goran Dragic now.
Per our own Iztok Franko, in a interview for Slovenian TV (POP TV) today Goran Dragic said “That would be great [playing in Dallas]. I wouldn’t have anything against that. But it’s not dependent on me, we’ll see what happens.” He also noted he hasn’t heard from Toronto and that “Everything depends on the third team, we’ll have the news in the next few days.”
Luka Doncic’s dad, Saša Dončić who was in the studio with Dragic added:
“That would be great, when we’ll visit there will be only one place to go. Only Dallas. We won’t have to go to Miami or to Toronto”.
Read about all Mavs free agency rumors on @mavsmoneyball
— Iztok Franko (@iztok_franko) August 3, 2021
Yet the Mavericks are being hardheaded, as is their typical wont. On the Lowe Post today Tim MacMahon said, ”[the Mavericks] feel like there will be some natural growth in that roster.” At the moment the Mavericks very clearly don’t want to pay the $19 million salary for Dragic and MacMahon said so.
Tim Cato of The Athletic also notes that the Mavericks could trade for Dragic by sending Dwight Powell, Willie Cauley-Stein, or a prospect like Josh Green or Tyrell Terry, but they don’t want to do that. Cato specifically cites that “Dallas wouldn’t want to do that because Powell is beloved around the organization” and that losing two centers would be hard.
This reads as if the Mavericks are being either cheap or difficult and it’s very confusing as to why. Powell’s been a great Maverick and human being for a long time, but he’s not part of the future core. Being unwilling to part with Terry or Green makes some sense but it’s still a bit frustrating.
The notion that owner Mark Cuban doesn’t want to spend for a non-contender grows with each passing off season. This is the last time they can realistically spend, with Luka Doncic’s massive extension kicking in along with the huge salary of Kristaps Porzingis. There isn’t going to be cap space for sometime.
Perhaps there’s something going on that we’re unaware of, but Dragic is the kind of ball handler Dallas needs, even if he’s older. He’s also the kind of mentor Luka Doncic needs. Off seasons in basketball wrap up quickly and for years fans have simply accepted the notion from Dallas that they know better than every other team. But in this instance, I want to implore them to go get Dragic. Unless the cost is something that impinges upon future trade possibilities (like a draft pick), it’s time to move on from some of these players and bring in a guy like Dragic who can help fix immediate needs.
Here’s our Monday evening free agency podcast. We recorded around 10:30 pm CST so if more happened, we’ll talk about that tomorrow. Here’s the direct link again. Search Mavs Moneyball Podcast on your favorite app.
