Dallas Mavericks Rumors: After DeAndre Jordan Snub, Team May Be Forced To Take Desperate Measures In 2015

The Dallas Mavericks are rumored to be facing a near-impossible situation after having DeAndre Jordan pull the rug from under them, with some insiders saying the team may have to tank in 2015 to start an unexpected rebuild.

The Mavs appeared to have stolen one of the top free agents this offseason when Jordan gave a verbal agreement on a four-year deal, but this week he did an about-face, going back to the Los Angeles Clippers and leaving the Mavs dry.

With the Dallas Mavericks devoting almost all of their attention and resources on DeAndre Jordan, they have now missed out on much of free agency (outside of signing Wes Matthews), and some believe they will be forced to do something very desperate this coming season — tank.

SB Nation writer Tom Ziller said the team may have to give up hopes of a playoff run this year and instead focus on the long-term. But he also noted that the Mavs need to fall a long way in order to get a franchise-changing pick.

“You have to be among the four worst teams in the NBA to guarantee your pick lands in the top seven. You have to be among the worst six teams to feel really good about your chances of landing in the top seven in the lottery. Keep in mind that the league’s fourth-worst team last season (the Lakers) went 21-61 and the sixth worst team (the Kings) went 29-53. Can the Mavericks confidently believe they’ll be that bad? That’s a long way to fall.”

There may be other options beyond giving up on 2015. There are rumors that the Dallas Mavericks have been looking into Indiana Pacers big man Roy Hibbert, who they could bring over in a trade.

There are some who think he could be a good fit in Dallas. The Indianapolis Star noted that Hibbert’s spot is in doubt after the Pacers took Texas freshman Myles Turner in June’s NBA Draft.

Hibbert is also in need of a change of scenery, the outlet noted.

The report noted, “Hibbert, a two-time All-Star, struggled mightily in 2014-15, averaging his fewest points per game (10.6) since his rookie season (7.1). Larry Bird and Frank Vogel have stated time and time again the team’s desire to play a more up-tempo style — one that doesn’t fit Hibbert’s game.”

Hibbert could also fit into the Mavs’ time line, noted ESPN’s Tim McMahon.

“But trading for Hibbert, whose $15.5 million salary the Indiana Pacers would like to shed, would allow the Mavs to fill their vacancy at center without making a long-term financial commitment,” he wrote. “The 7-foot-2 Hibbert is in the final season of his contract.”

Whatever the Dallas Mavericks decide, there will likely be plenty of speculation over the next few weeks. The DeAndre Jordan snub has kicked the rumor mill into high gear, and Dallas has yet to blaze a clear path forward.

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