Mavericks Rumors: Dallas was 'seriously' bidding for $86 million wing

The NBA's free agency is probably the wildest of all the American pro sports. In the past, crazier things have happened for the Dallas Mavericks, like when the Mavs landed Kristaps Porzingis or even when they got Monta Ellis in 2013. Things can get weird, and they almost did for the Mavericks this offseason.

Well, things actually did a bit weird. The whole Kyrie Irving ordeal was something else, especially with the LeBron James rumors. Then there is the Grant Williams addition that only a few saw coming, if anyone at all.

Mavericks Rumors: Dallas was 'seriously' bidding for Dillon Brooks

Those are the types of things fans can expect in free agency, but as noted, it almost got even crazier. According to one NBA insider, the Mavericks were also bidding on former Memphis Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks.

"To my knowledge, the Dallas Mavericks were said to be seriously in the mix for Brooks' services," The Athletics' Kelly Iko reported (subscription required).

How exactly is that weird? Well, Brooks himself had one of the weirdest seasons, as the way it ended was painful. He went from trash-talking James, the last person one should trash-talk, to clowning himself off the Grizzlies.

Brooks's shot was terrible last year. He shot 39% from the field, the worst of his career, and 32% from three-point range, the second-worst of his career. His tenacity and defense were the only things that kept him on the floor. Unfortunately for him, even those two things started to dwindle throughout the postseason.

The Houston Rockets ended up giving Brooks a four-year, $86 million deal. From the looks of it, the Mavericks dodged a bullet with that one, as Brooks is set to be overpaid for years to come.

That being said, the Rockets seemingly feel like this is the year they will finally make the jump. They must feel that way, or they would have spent less than $86 million on Brooks and $128 million on Fred VanVleet (for three years), with him making roughly $44 million a year.

The Mavericks have their own problems, but they may have dodged another one that their division rival will now have to deal with.