Dallas Mavericks Have To Go Front And Center

The NBA free agent signing period has begun with some expected fireworks, but already the Dallas Mavericks know that the center position has become arguably the biggest vacancy on the team.

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According to Marc Stein of ESPN, Tyson Chandler has agreed to terms with the Phoenix Suns on a four-year pact worth $52 million. The move comes as little surprise, especially given the Mavericks expected pursuit of Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, which has already begun.

It was already known that the Dallas back court needed work, but at this point, this franchise needs help just about everywhere. In the event that power forward Dirk Nowitzki moves to the bench, the Mavs essentially have small forward Chandler Parsons on the roster as an expected starter for next year – and that’s it.

For a franchise that spent decades looking for a true big man under the rim, it seems unlikely that Dallas would allow Chandler to get away, not once, but twice in the last five seasons.

So, get ready for a heated push for Jordan.

Tim MacMahon of ESPN Tweeted that it was possible that Parsons had dined with Jordan for four previous nights prior to the full court press along with the Mavs brass hours ago. It does seem like there’s something close to happening with Jordan, and it’s simply going to have to at this point.

It’s hard to say when exactly there will come word of Jordan’s plans seeing as how a few other teams are expected to be in the mix for his services as well.

But if Chandler’s rapid departure is any indication, which it might not be at all, the wait could be quite short.

In other words, if Jordan already knows where he wants to play, then it’s possible that future discussions with teams like the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers might not even happen. It’s not like there will be much, if anything, in the way of financial differences between the Mavs offer and those from the rest of the pack.

The Clippers can offer Jordan the most money, but if Jordan was content playing with point guard Chris Paul, which he sure doesn’t seem to be, then that extra fifth year on a max contract to remain in SoCal would already be inked.

Yes, Jordan is likely headed out of town, and with the Mavericks firing on all cylinders to land the seven-year veteran out of Texas A&M, a new pattern could begin.

Should the Mavericks actually land Jordan, it would mark an end to previous failed efforts to acquire some of the NBA’s biggest free-agent talent the last few summers. Players such as Deron Williams of the Brooklyn Nets and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, despite having played high school ball in The Metroplex, chose other options instead  playing for the Mavericks.

Things didn’t go much better during the recruitment of Dwight Howard a couple of years ago.

Jordan, alone, doesn’t make the Mavericks a contender all by himself.

But the 6’11” center becomes much more than a luxurious addition to a Mavericks team that’s almost a complete mystery right now.

Next: Dallas Mavericks Pre-Free Agency Roster Predictions

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