Dallas Mavericks: Why do they keep striking out in free agency?

Dallas Mavericks Rick Carlisle Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Mavericks Rick Carlisle Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks Rick Carlisle Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Mavericks striking out in free agency is a trend

The Mavs missing on their prime free-agent target has happened for nearly a decade. Yes, this goes back into Dirk Nowitzki’s prime when they could not secure their first choice.

Dallas had high hopes for signing Deron Williams in 2012, but he stayed with the Nets. Dwight Howard was the target in 2013, but he left the Lakers for the Rockets to pair with James Harden. Carmelo Anthony was the apple of their eye in 2014, but he stayed with the Knicks.

In 2015, the Mavericks appeared to finally get their man when DeAndre Jordan agreed to join the team only to change his mind and head back to the Clippers. It was the heartbreak or all heartbreaks for the Mavs. Things have not changed with the Mavericks missing on Marc Gasol.

Dallas has never signed their number one target. Watch the video at the top of this article. The Mavs best free-agent signing in team history was Shawn Marion, who was three years removed from being an All-Star when he came to Dallas. Yes, he helped the Mavericks win a title and should be a Hall of Famer, but Dallas often fails to land their target in free agency.

Could things be changing, though?

Next: Why it happened in 2020