Dallas Mavericks rumors: Mavs not offering Al Horford $112 million

The Dallas Mavericks are rumored to have interest in signing big man Al Horford, but Marc Stein reports they are not offering the said deal.

Dallas Mavericks fans have been anxiously awaiting this summer’s free agency to kick off. The Mavs are flush with cap space and the desire to contend next season.

The proceedings are about to begin, and the stories are circulating quickly. Let us take a look at the latest Dallas Mavericks rumor.

Background

Al Horford declined his $30.1 million player option for next season. That makes him an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The Boston Herald reported that Horford is leaving the Celtics and plans to sign elsewhere in free agency.

The Dallas Mavericks were quickly linked to the five-time All-Star big man. Here is the latest.

Rumors not true?

It is rumor season in the NBA. Reports fly out quickly and some of them turn out to be nothing but a mislead. That may be the case here. Let us start with two tweets from Brad Townsend.

Smoke billowing on the Horford-Mavs front, but not yet seeing flames. Hard to imagine Mavs forking over most of their salary cap space to a 33-year-old center, even one of Horford’s caliber. But it certainly would help them make a quantum leap, short-term.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) June 19, 2019

League source’s texted reply when asked if Horford-Mavs reports are accurate: “Not really.”

No elaboration or reply, as of yet, to follow-up. Interpret as you will.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) June 19, 2019

That is just the start though. Here is what Marc Stein had to say on June 21.

Numerous teams and agents believe Al Horford has a four-year offer awaiting him in free agency worth an estimated $112 million. Sources with knowledge of the Mavericks’ thinking continue to insist that such a deal will NOT be coming from Dallas. Free agency starts in eight days
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 21, 2019

Stein does not say the Mavs are not interested here, though. He states that Dallas is not expected to offer a four-year $112 million contract. Horford is reportedly searching for at least three years and north of $100 million. The 33-year-old is going to command a hefty salary.

Tim MacMahon had the following tweet to add to Stein’s report.

Mavs source told me “nope” when I asked about this today. Others around league suspect/believe that it’s Dallas, as @WindhorstESPN, Jackie Mac and I discussed on podcast. https://t.co/6T2Ev9XoEw
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 21, 2019

If the Mavericks sole goal is to make the playoffs in 2020, Horford is a fantastic addition. His team has made the postseason five straight years and 11 of the 12 seasons of Horford’s career. That should be no surprise. Horford is a superb talent. He can space the floor, handle the ball, score in a variety of ways, and defend.

The Dallas Mavericks have to be careful offering a long-term deal, though. Horford would be 37 at the conclusion of a four-year deal. Paying $28 million per season to a big man that is well past his prime could be a mistake, especially when considering the Mavs young core of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.

It will be interesting to see what happens when free agency kicks off. One thing is for certain, The Smoking Cuban will have it all for Dallas Mavericks fans, so check back to the site regularly.

The Dallas Mavericks are rumored to have interest in signing big man Al Horford, but Marc Stein reports they are not offering the said deal.

Background

Rumors not true?

Schedule