The Mavericks intend to explore the possibility of signing veteran guard Goran Dragic in free agency this offseason, sources tell Marc Stein (Twitter link).
Dragic and the Mavericks have frequently been linked in the past, in large part due to Luka Doncic‘s presence in Dallas. Doncic and Dragic, who are both from Slovenia, have played together in international competitions and appear to have interest in teaming up in the NBA as well.
Dragic will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and the Mavericks project to have more open roster spots than expected after agreeing to a four-for-one trade for Christian Wood. Trey Burke will be one of the outgoing pieces in that deal, so even if Jalen Brunson re-signs with Dallas, the club could use another point guard for depth purposes.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Auburn big man Jabari Smith was straightforward in explaining why he hasn’t felt the need to visit with the Rockets in the weeks leading up to the 2022 NBA draft, as Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle relays. The Rockets hold the No. 3 pick in the draft, but Smith only visited the Magic (No. 1) and Thunder (No. 2). “I don’t see myself falling below two,” Smith said. “Just keeping that mindset going into to it, that’s kind of my mindset. That’s why I kept it to those two.”
- In a pair of stories for The Athletic, Will Guillory explores how the Pelicans‘ strategy in the draft has evolved since David Griffin was hired in 2019, and answers mailbag questions about the No. 8 pick and potential trade candidates on the roster. Guillory doesn’t think New Orleans will aggresively try to move Devonte’ Graham, but expects the team to gauge his market to see what’s out there.
- Purdue’s Sasha Stefanovic indicated on his Instagram story today that he’s in San Antonio to work out for the Spurs, tweets James Boyd of The Indianapolis Star. Stefanovic doesn’t show up on ESPN’s list of 2022’s top 100 prospects, making him a long shot to be drafted.
“‘I don’t see myself falling below two,’ Smith said.”
Yes, but what if Houston trades into the top two? Not likely, but still a possibility
Zero chance OKC passes on the opportunity to take Jabari. Even if they were drafting 1st they’d probably take him. He fits their needs perfectly
Id be surprised if gets past the 1st pick. The only way OKC gets Smith is if Orlando trades the #1 pick to OKC.
Graham stinks.
Nah he’s pretty good. You’re the 1 that sucks
Dragic is done. Maybe a league minimum contract at this point, but I don’t think he has much left in the tank. Low risk, mild reward.
Dragic still looked good for the Nets after the buyout in that small sample size. He’s always been a liability defensively. He fits the Mavs beautifully as a backup/3rd PG on a vet’s minimum. As long as he’s willing to play for that … done deal.
PG: Brunson/Dinwiddie/Dragic
SG: Doncic/Hardaway/Ntilikina/Pinson*
SF: Bullock/Free Agent TBD/J. Green
PF: Dodo/Bertans
C: Wood/Kleber/Powell
* likely to re-sign on a standard contract per Marc Stein
Agreed, as long as it’s the vet minimum it’s a nice addition for the Mavs.
4 teams want #4
Detroit and Indiana, who are at 5 and 6, the New York Knicks at 11 and the Washington Wizards at 10.
Smith sounds like a total d-bag with that comment