The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

What the DeAndre Jordan acquisition means for the Mavericks’ future

By Jasmyn Wimbish

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 09: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Los Angeles Clippers spins the ball while on the bench in the second half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on April 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 09: DeAndre Jordan #6 of the Los Angeles Clippers spins the ball while on the bench in the second half of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on April 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The Dallas Mavericks set themselves up for a big free agency…next summer.

Although nothing is signed yet, the Dallas Mavericks finally got the center they wanted, even if it’s only for a year. DeAndre Jordan is expected to sign a one-year, $24 million deal with the Mavericks after the moratorium period.

On the surface this deal may seem like it doesn’t make sense, why would Dallas sign the center they’ve been longing after for years to just a one-year deal? Why would the Mavericks go after someone who already spurned them once? After looking at the big picture, there’s more going on here than just a one-year deal with the Texas native.

Taking a peek into the Mavs’ salary cap situation next summer, the deal with Jordan makes perfect sense.

For the 2019/2020 season the only contracts Dallas will for sure have on the books is Dennis Smith Jr., Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, all on rookie deals. Harrison Barnes and Dwight Powell both have player options that they can decide to either opt out of or pick up. Wesley Matthews’ contract will come off the books, as well as J.J. Barea, DeAndre Jordan’s and Salah Mejri.

What this means is that Dallas will have a significant amount of cap space next summer to build around the tandem of Smith Jr., Doncic and potentially Barnes. Without a pick in next year’s draft, this cap space will be huge for Dallas in building around their young core.

This is the epitome of a perfect situation for Dallas, because although the Mavs may not add another key piece to the roster this summer, they will have a lot of room to go after free agents like Klay Thompson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Frank Kaminsky and Kristaps Porzingis next summer.

Even if the Mavericks don’t land anyone next summer they’re being smarter about remaining financially flexible for the future and not committing themselves to bad contracts. Although it’s early, the Mavericks are having one of their best free agency in years, and are positioning themselves to get back on the winning side of things going forward.

Next: Four more players the Dallas Mavericks should consider

It may not be an immediate payout, but in just a few short weeks the Dallas Mavericks’ future seems a lot brighter.