Pau Gasol (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks may have a chance to finally acquire two talented stars in free agency this summer.
After disappointingly ending the postseason with a 4-1 series loss to the OKC Thunder, the Mavs are now shifting their focus in free agency, where the team will have a chance to improve their roster.
Dallas Morning News writer Eddie Sefko listed potential targets for the Mavs once the market opens in July. Among the list of top-talented free agents, Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol and Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley seem intriguing options for the Mavericks.
Despite his age, Gasol proved he can still play the game and has effectively done so with the Bulls in the last two seasons. Gasol, a two-time NBA champion, averaged 17.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in his two-year stint in Chicago.
Gasol is expected to opt out in the final term of his three-year $22.3 million contract with the Bulls to look for more lucrative deals from other NBA teams. Gasol could be an ideal acquisition for the Mavs if they fail to retain Zaza Pachulia, who is also set to hit free agency in July.
However, Gasol could be inclining to join a title contender next season, and after a depleted-Mavs lineup failed to reach deep into the playoffs, there is a slim chance Gasol choose to play on the other side of Houston.
Meanwhile, Conley, one of the most sought-after point guard free agent this summer, has officially announced his intentions to explore free agency, which may not bode well for the Grizzlies following the team's first round suffered in the hands of the San Antonio Spurs.
Conley has reportedly challenged the Grizzlies to sign another star in the offseason, but chances are slim for Memphis, with the team lacking assets to attract the likes of Kevin Durant. If Conley decides to leave the Grizzlies for good, the Mavs could be a perfect fit for the 28-year-old PG.
"We need to be committed to doing the things, whatever it may be and however hard the decision may be, to do the right things in order to get us where we need to go," Conley said.
"This summer will be a fun one for me," Conley said. "Free agency is new for me. We'll see how it goes."
Two of Dallas' key point guards in Deron Williams and Raymond Felton are projected to consider offers from other teams this summer. Williams has a player option for next season, while Felton becomes an unrestricted free agent in a few months.
Pursuing a point guard should be the Mavs' main agenda in the offseason and Conley would be a huge upgrade at the position if the team could lure him into playing in Dallas. The Mavs could have a projected max salary cap space of $48 million, enough to offer Conley a max contract, and Gasol a more lucrative deal.
It remains to be seen whether the Mavs truly have the interest to pair Gasol and Conley with Dirk Nowitzki, but both players could be instrumental for the Mavs' campaign next season.
