In the past 24 hours, the Mavericks have reversed field to become major players for free agent-to-be DeAndre Jordan.
Management extended a qualifying offer to Doug McDermott on Tuesday, but then took that off the table when news broke about the Los Angeles Clippers trading for center Marcin Gortat from Washington.
An NBA source said the Mavericks need the roughly $10 million salary-cap hold that McDermott would have required if he had OK'd the qualifying offer and become a restricted free agent.
By not tendering an offer, the Mavericks are allowing McDermott to become an unrestricted free agent, although they have interest in keeping him if the financials work.
In the meantime, the move, combined with not picking up Dirk Nowitzki's second season at $5 million (a team option), plus renouncing Nerlens Noel, would open up about $25 million in salary for the Mavericks to use in free agency. Nowitzki, of course, would be re-signed at a different, perhaps slightly smaller, number.
That would certainly be in the ballpark that Jordan, who made $22.6 million last season and is expected to opt out of the final season of his contract at $24.1 million, is comfortable with.
It also would be a clear sign that the Mavericks don't hold a grudge anymore from 2015, when Jordan gave them a handshake agreement that he would sign with them in free agency, then had a change of heart and returned to the Clippers.
Jordan averaged 12 points and 15.2 rebounds (second in the league) last season. At 29, he still has mileage left on him.
If they could get Jordan on the second try, they would instantly be more relevant in the Western Conference going into (perhaps) Nowitzki's last season.
The alternative to going after Jordan in free agency would be to have him opt into his final year, then execute a sign-and-trade that in all probability would have to include Wesley Matthews.
However, the Mavericks appear to be trying to do everything possible to not only get Jordan but also keep Matthews.
The Mavericks did tender qualifying offers to Yogi Ferrell and Salah Mejri, who are at much smaller numbers than McDermott.
