Dallas Mavericks Rumors: Mark Cuban Gives His Side Of DeAndre Jordan Debacle, Deron Williams On Way, Stoudemire Gone
The L.A. Lakers have been seen as one of the most cursed teams this year in NBA free agency, but the Dallas Mavericks appear to be closing in on them. Not only were they a part of the strangest situation with DeAndre Jordan, but now they’ve lost Amar’e Stoudemire. At least they appear to have Deron Williams heading their direction, and Mark Cuban wanted to set the record straight.
DeAndre Jordan was one of the prize players in free agency this season, and his verbal agreement made it seem as if the Mavs had landed a huge name. Jordan then ignored the Mavs and returned to the L.A. Clippers.
At that point, online sources, including ESPN‘s Chris Broussard started saying things that Cuban scoffed at, and rightfully so.
CORRECTION: Sources: Cuban beside himself. Driving around downtown HOUSTON begging (thru texts) Jordan’s family 4 address to DeAndre’s home
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 9, 2015
Not only did Mark Cuban respond on Twitter to Broussard, but he’s since released a statement for his side of the Jordan issue.
“Dear Mavs fans,
After all the nonsense coming from an ESPN employee on twitter, I thought I would provide the events of the day on Tuesday.
Through all of Monday we were texting back and forth discussing players available, the amount of cap room we had left. Who our staff liked. Who he liked. How excited he was.
Then on Tuesday, the communications basically stopped and we started hearing rumblings from multiple people that something was up.
So I flew down to Houston and got a room at the galleria, which is just a few minutes from his house. I had my driver take me to his house. It’s inside a small gated community but the gate was wide open So we drove in and I literally walked up to his door.
There was no one home. So I texted him saying that I was there. I know something is up. Let’s talk. He texted me that he was on a date.
I told him to have fun. I wasn’t in a rush, that I was happy to come by there and say hi or if he wanted to make the date fun, take them to Dallas for a night out
He didn’t respond.
After about 10 minutes I went back to the hotel. I wasn’t going to sit in front of the house. I didn’t think that was right.
When I got back to the hotel I texted him that I wasn’t in front of his house. Have fun on his date and we will talk.
He hit me back immediately saying thanks.
He knew I was in town. He knew I was close by. I knew something was up. I was getting the same reports everyone else was.
I also knew his agents were coming to town. It made sense that he would take to them and worst case, even if he was having second thoughts the agent would be able to give me updates.
Like any big career move it’s natural to have second thoughts. So while I was concerned, I still wasn’t worried. So I went to bed.
More to come.”
On top of that huge mess, the Mavericks have now also lost free agent Amar’e Stoudemire, according to ESPN. Stoudemire joined the Miami Heat for a veteran’s minimum contract for one year at $1.5 million.
In a tad bit of better news, Deron Williams does appear to truly be leaving the Brooklyn Nets and heading to the Dallas Mavericks. The Nets will release him after coming to some sort of agreement on a buyout of Williams’ $43.3 million remaining on the final two years of his contract.
As it now stands, discussions are underway for a buyout and there is a 60 to 70 percent chance that Williams plays for the Mavericks next season.
The Dallas Mavericks have done a few good things during the NBA offseason, but the DeAndre Jordan problem has been the spotlight. Now, Mark Cuban has set the record straight from his standpoint, and it’s time for everyone to move on.
[Image via Getty Images – Tim Heitman]
