Dallas Mavericks

Why the Mavericks signed Deron Williams instead of rebuilding

Published Jul. 17, 2015 11:35 a.m. ET

foxsports

After DeAndre Jordan decided to return to Los Angeles instead of joining the Dallas Mavericks, the idea that the Mavericks would maintain cap space and rebuild for the future seemed possible.

But instead of tanking or preserving assets, the Mavericks signed hometown guard Deron Williams after he was let go by the Brooklyn Nets.

Here's more from Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated on why Dallas made that decision:

"Williams, for all his flaws, is a far better player than any Dallas could have found for $5-6 million in free agency. That might come as small consolation in the wake of the DeAndre Jordan fiasco, though moves like this one push the Mavs back into reasonable contention for a playoff spot. Whether Dallas should pursue those ends at all is debatable.

Yet with the most intriguing young free agents long gone, Dirk Nowitzki in his basketball twilight, and the Mavs' 2016 protected first-round pick owed to Boston, the practical components of a rebuild are more complicated than they might seem. A deliberate step back would hold little benefit for a team in this position."

(h/t Sports Illustrated)