DALLAS � On Saturday, the Dallas Mavericks were on the verge of formalizing an offer sheet for Memphis Grizzlies restricted free agent point guard Delon Wright.
On Sunday, the Mavericks and Grizzlies came to a compromise, agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal that sends 6-foot-5 Wright to Dallas with a three-year, $29 million contract and gives the Grizzlies two second-round picks from the Mavericks.
Had Dallas signed Wright to an offer sheet, it probably would have had to give him a higher starting salary and the Grizzlies would have been forced to match in order to keep him, or not match and lose him for nothing.
Wright, 27, was selected by Toronto in the 2015 draft with the 20th overall pick. He was traded to Memphis last season, and he took advantage of his increased playing time by averaging 12.2 points and 5.3 assists with Memphis.
Wright is not a good perimeter shooter (33.2% for his career from 3-point distance), but he is an excellent defender who can guard three positions (point guard, shooting guard, small forward) and he projects to be at least a part-time starter for the Mavericks, pairing with Luka Doncic in the backcourt and guarding opposing point guards.
