If Dallas doesn't sign Jordan, they need to keep Chandler
The Dallas Mavericks are in a state of transition. After losing badly to the Houston Rockets in the playoffs' opening round, they now face the possibility of losing multiple big-named players in free agency.
The good news is Dallas should have plenty of cap space to replace those who leave, but free agency is always a gamble, and just because the Mavericks want to surround Dirk Nowitzki with a younger core doesn't mean they'll be able to.
Here's ESPN Dallas columnist Tim MacMahon with more on a specific dilemma the team faces at the center position:
"The Mavs would have to successfully recruit Jordan, who is represented by agent Dan Fegan, who helped deliver Chandler Parsons to the Mavs last summer. Sources have told ESPNDallas.com that Jordan has privately indicated that he’d be interested in coming to Dallas. But it stands to reason that the likelihood of him leaving Lob City would decrease with every round that the Clippers advance. If the Mavs aren’t able to convince Jordan to leave a title contender – perhaps even a defending champion, depending on how these playoffs go – to come to his home state, keeping Chandler is an absolute must. It’d be a disaster to let Chandler leave again without an immediate upgrade."
This is both obvious and true. Nobody knows what Dallas' entire roster will look like next season, but perimeter defense was a major concern over the past few years and two key players we can count on returning (Nowitzki and Parsons) aren't known for stopping the opposition.
Without a rim-protecting center, Dallas would not only fall short of championship contention, it'd likely miss the playoffs altogether.
(h/t: ESPN)
Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports
