The Dallas Mavericks have struck out time and time again with elite centers on the free agent market, but you have to admire their perseverance.
According to a report by Tim MacMahon of ESPN on Saturday, the Mavericks are expected to go hard after Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2018.
For Mavs fans who might be wondering, DeMarcus Cousins is set to hit free agency in summer of 2018. Yes, Mavs expected to go hard after him.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 22, 2016
The Mavericks currently have newcomer Andrew Bogut penciled in as their starting center, but Bogut’s contract expires after the 2016-17 season. Meanwhile, it seems unlikely that Mavs lifer Dirk Nowitzki, who is pushing 38 years of age, would continue playing beyond the 2017-18 campaign. The timing of the report is also interesting as Dallas recently signed Jaleel Cousins, DeMarcus’ younger brother, though he was ultimately a casualty of the team’s final roster cuts.
The elder Cousins’ frustration with the Kings is beyond well-documented, and it would shock absolutely no one if he were to bolt Sacramento at the very first opportunity he got. We’ve seen this script before with the Mavericks, who have come up empty in their free agent pursuits of Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, and, most recently, Hassan Whiteside. But it’s at least worth keeping an eye on as the team searches for the next face of their franchise with Nowitzki’s retirement looming.
