Dallas Mavericks: 3 Free Agents to avoid in 2020
By Reid Hanson
Dallas Mavericks: Free Agent to Avoid No. 3
Serge Ibaka PF/C
Even though Serge posted the highest scoring and rebounding averages of his career last season, the best days of Serge Ibaka are likely behind us. Ibaka saw career lows in blocks and block percentage. The 31-year-old big man wasn’t his same dominant self on defense and that is buyer beware signal to anyone thinking about offering the man a multi-year deal.
The Dallas Mavericks are in the market for a well-balanced player in free agency. A guy who can get physical and take the abuse KP would otherwise be forced to take. But at the same time they need him to be an asset on offense.
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Ibaka could be that guy but the jury is still out. Last season, Ibaka shot nearly 40% from three. But only a year ago he shot a paltry 29%. Which Serge is the real Serge? The guy who stretched the floor and was a match-up nightmare in last year’s shortened season? Or the guy who was about as proficient as Dwight Powell a season before?
If his defense is slipping and his offense is fool’s gold, Serge may not be the asset we need in Dallas. On a 1-year deal Ibaka would be a great signing but he’s going to want more and that may too risky for the Mavericks to bet on.
Conclusion
In case you didn’t pick up on it, this free agency period is more about next summer than it is right now. That’s because the Dallas Mavericks are well-positioned to sign a max super star in summer of 2021 and with a tantalizing young nucleus of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas may be able to actually sign one this year.
Must Read. 3 Possible Free Agents for the Mavs. light
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If the Dallas Mavericks sign someone, it has to be a 1-year deal, a low-money multi-year deal, aof be someone they feel confident they can trade away after the season. All of the players mentioned above hold too much risk.