Dallas Mavericks Should Consider Signing Pau Gasol In NBA Free Agency


The Dallas Mavericks are entering a very important offseason if they want to get back to being legitimate championship contenders. Mark Cuban is aways looking to make a splash or two, and free agency will give them that opportunity. Dallas has the money to make a big move or two and there is one player in particular that they should look to sign.

Pau Gasol is set to hit the open market and the Mavericks should consider signing him. He would pair perfectly with Dirk Nowitzki in the front-court and would add the much needed extra scoring option.

Throughout the 2015-16 season with the Chicago Bulls, Gasol ended up averaging 16.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He shot 46.9 percent from the floor overall and also chipped in with 4.1 assists per game. Those numbers show why the Mavericks would be wise to target Gasol when free agency opens up.

At 35-years-old, Gasol knows that his career is coming down to the last few seasons. Signing with the Mavericks may not be the best chance that he could find to win a title, but they are always aggressive in trying to acquire more pieces to contend for a championship. Cuban seems to find ways to add talent and the roster already has quite a bit of talent on board.

Pau Gasol should consider signing with Dallas Mavericks.
[AP Photo/Joel Auerbach]
Why would Gasol want to sign with the Mavericks over the other title contenders that will likely have interest in signing him?

First of all and most obviously, the Mavericks can afford to give him a big contract. Money will not be everything to Gasol this coming offseason, but every player has their price. If the Mavericks offer him the most aggressive deal, Gasol will have a hard time turning it down no matter what a more talented team offers.

Secondly, the Mavericks do have close to the talent needed to compete in the Western Conference. Nowitzki is still capable of playing at a high level, while they are widely expected to bring Chandler Parsons back as well. Wesley Matthews is in town, while the Mavericks will have more than enough money to sign Gasol and another good free agent or two this offseason.

The Dallas Mavericks could pursue Pau Gasol.
[AP Photo/Darren Hauck]
Cuban seems to have excellent relationships with his players and is one of the more respected owners in the NBA. Having the opportunity to play for Cuban would likely be intriguing for Gasol as well.

That being said, there are going to be a lot of offers on the table for Gasol, and there is no telling exactly what he is looking for this offseason. Dallas will likely pursue him fairly aggressively, as they seem to do with most high-profile free agents.

Looking ahead at the upcoming NBA free agency period, fans should buckle up and get ready for a lot of excitement. Teams have more money than they normally would to spend, and there are a lot of talented players on the market. Dallas fans should be ready to see Cuban pursue a big name or two, but Gasol is one that would be a big step in the right direction towards returning to serious playoff contention.

Expect to hear a lot of rumors about Gasol as free agency continues to draw closer. He will be a coveted free agent, but the Mavericks should be viewed as one of the top destinations for him.

Do you think that the Dallas Mavericks should try to sign Pau Gasol when NBA free agency opens up this offseason? Would he be the piece that helps power them back to the upper half of the Western Conference? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images]

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