More Offseason Analysis: Coaching changes, news | Free Agency | Draft | Rumors
ESPN reports that the Mavericks plan to pursue Pau Gasol along with Carmelo Anthony as their big free agent targets.
Free-agent whisper one week out: Mavs not only expect to have chance to make face-to-face pitch to Melo but also plan to pursue Pau Gasol
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 22, 2014
Gasol will be an unrestricted free agent. The Lakers have been receptive to the idea of bringing him back but likely want to keep the deal smaller than what he wants in the hopes of keeping cap space open for 2015 free agency.
Gasol would give Dallas a talented post presence who can spread the floor and pass. But Dallas was said to be uninterested in Chris Bosh because they felt they needed rebounding and a rim-protecting bruiser down low next to Dirk Nowitzki. Gasol averaged 9.7 rebounds last season with the third-highest rebound percentage of his career (16.7 percent) but has multiple injury issues at this point in his career and can't defend much of anything.
So it's kind of a weird fit. But if Dallas wants to throw some of their considerable cap space at Gasol, it could work. He and Jose Calderon would combine for one of the best offensive pick and pop combinations that also can't defend pick and rolls at all in the league.
And it would finally give the Mavericks a marquee free agent acquisition, even at age 34.
