NBA Rumors: Andrew Bogut Chose Dallas Mavericks Over Houston Rockets


Sometimes, NBA teams will choose loyalty over business. According to FanSided, Andrew Bogut chose the Dallas Mavericks over the Houston Rockets. The Golden State Warriors needed some salary cap space to sign Kevin Durant in free agency, so they allowed their longtime starting center to choose his next destination.

There was a point in time where the Golden State Warriors were choosing between Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut. Management knew that one of them needed to be moved in order to acquire Kevin Durant. The Warriors decided to choose Iguodala because of his already existing friendship with Durant.

The Houston Rockets were said to have had a pretty good offer on the table for Andrew Bogut. This was before they decided to settle on luring Nene Hilario from the Washington Wizards in free agency. Management felt that they owed it to Bogut to send him to a team that has the better chance of competing for an NBA Championship.

Another team that was interested in Andrew Bogut was the Philadelphia 76ers. That seems a bit odd because the Sixers are already stacked at the center position with Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and Joel Embiid. Management is actually trying to unload one of those players to balance out the roster, so it is interesting that they would consider adding Bogut.

When the Golden State Warriors renounced their rights to their starting small forward, Harrison Barnes was quick to sign a contract with the Dallas Mavericks, as reported by Sports Illustrated. Many believe that the presence of Barnes was one of the things that helped lure Andrew Bogut to the Dallas Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle is projected to start Andrew Bogut at the center position. Harrison Barnes should be the starting small forward, while Dirk Nowitzki will remain at his usual power forward position. Barnes, Nowitzki, and Bogut form one of the better front courts in the NBA.

Harrison Barnes [Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images]
Andrew Bogut is one of the better defensive centers in the NBA. That is exactly what the Dallas Mavericks have been looking for. Management saw how much more effective Dirk Nowitzki is when he has someone protecting his back, much like how Tyson Chandler did when the team last won a championship.

After signing a very lucrative contract this summer, Dwight Powell should be the main back-up for both Dirk Nowitzki and Andrew Bogut next season. Management feels that he can grow to become one of the better players in the NBA. The Dallas Mavericks are hoping that the 25-year-old will become a building block for the team down the road.

Wanting to make sure that they have some insurance in case Dwight Powell does not pan out, the Dallas Mavericks signed Quincy Acy this week, as reported by ESPN. Even though he is just six-foot-seven, Acy has proven to the NBA that he is more than capable of defending power forwards and centers because of his toughness.

Dirk Nowitzki [Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images]
Interestingly enough, the guy that has been pegged to replace Andrew Bogut as the starting center for the Golden State Warriors is the guy that started at center for the Dallas Mavericks last season. Zaza Pachulia signed with the Warriors in free agency on a very team-friendly deal because he wanted to chase an NBA Championship.

Andrew Bogut has not publicly bashed the Golden State Warriors since being traded to the Dallas Mavericks. However, few would really blame him if there were harsh feelings about being discarded so easily. The best way for Bogut to gain revenge on the Warriors is by helping the Mavericks eliminate Golden State from the NBA Playoffs, which could be a very tough task.

[Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images]

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