Free agency rumors: Dallas Mavericks "taking a step back?"

The Dallas Mavericks have had a relatively quiet past week or so in free agency.

They were extremely active on July 5 as they signed Matisse Thybule to a three-year, $33 million offer sheet and traded Reggie Bullock in a three-team trade with San Antonio and Boston to acquire Grant Williams via sign-and-trade.

Since then, they've made no moves. They were going to use part of the mid-level exception to sign Thybulle, but since haven't made any other moves with that money.

And according to an NBA Insider, they might not be using that money just for one player.

NBA Insider Marc Stein was on his weekly radio show, "Saturday Sports World with Marc Stein," on "97.1 The Freak" and talked about the Mavericks and how they'll use their MLE.

Stein talked about how he thinks the Mavericks will "take a step back to consider all options" when it comes to the MLE. He said that after Portland matched Thybulle's offer sheet, there isn't anyone that the Mavs should be rushing to go get. Stein also talked about how the Mavs can break up the MLE and use it on multiple players or signings they've already agreed to.

The Mavs have plenty of options when it comes to the way they handle the MLE, but it may not be the way that fans want. As Dallas "takes a step back," they likely won't be moving at the speed that fans want. Most of the high-level free agents have already signed with someone, and the Mavs are in no rush to finish building their roster around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

It seems that a trade could still happen soon, but there have been no trade rumors regarding the Mavs as of late. They still need a starting center and have been linked to Deandre Ayton and Clint Capela this offseason.

How will the Mavericks use the rest of the MLE? Will they trade for a starting center.

Both of those questions will hopefully be answered over the next few weeks as the Mavs try to return to the playoffs next season.

We'll have you covered with all the news and rumors surrounding the Mavs so stay tuned.