The Dallas Mavericks keep looking for ways to tweak their roster for the upcoming campaign. The latest rumor is that the Mavericks are eyeing free agent guard Jaylen Nowell, according to SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson on his podcast The Scoop.
“No, he’s not coming back to the Wolves,” Wolfson said. “There’s a mutual understanding that, ‘Hey, time for Jaylen to move on.’ But here’s a new team in on Jaylen Nowell: the Dallas Mavericks. They need to create some roster flexibility, they are looking into doing some stuff is the word and it may not come to fruition. But Jaylen Nowell is on Dallas’ radar. The Nowell camp is still also awaiting finality on the Damian Lillard situation.”
Nowell has spent his entire four-year career in Minnesota after the Timberwolves selected him with the No. 43 overall pick in the 2019 draft out of the University of Washington. The 24-year-old, who has 184 career NBA appearances, is versatile, able to play all three backcourt positions. Despite not being a great shooter, he is a scorer who can provide instant points off the bench. Nowell struggles on the defensive end.
Nowell is coming off his best season in 2022-23. In 65 games, Nowell produced 10.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He scored in double-figures on 32 occasions, topping the 20-point mark six times, including pouring in a career-high 30 points against Utah on February 8.
Dallas has 14 players with standard contracts and has been linked to several players lately. The Mavericks also seek trade partners for Tim Hardaway Jr. and JaVale McGee. McGee is the most likely to be jettisoned before the season, as the Mavs may use the stretch provision on the 35-year-old center.
Jeenathan Williams To Be Released By Portland
The Portland Trail Blazers will likely release Jeenathan Williams before his contract can become guaranteed on August 1, per Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report. Williams is slated to make $1.7 million this season.
Williams went undrafted out of Buffalo but was able to hook up with the Utah Jazz’s G-League’s club, Salt Lake City Stars. The 24-year-old shooting guard then inked a two-way contract with the Trail Blazers in April. He averaged 10.6 points, three rebounds, and two assists in five contests for the Blazers. Williams produced a shooting slash line of .615/.375/.667 in those contests.
Williams is a three-level who possesses a nice lefty shooting stroke. He can play all three backcourt positions and is very athletic. Williams is a capable rebounder.
Despite Highkin’s bel, it doesn’t make sense for Williams to be cut at this point despite having his contract fully guaranteed. Particularly if it is based solely on the potential trade of Damian Lillard. Williams didn’t play much in Vegas this summer though he was very efficient.
Lindy Waters III Is A Candidate To Return To Oklahoma City Thunder On A Two-Way Contract
Lindy Waters III is a “strong candidate” to return to Oklahoma City on a two-way contract, tweeted Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma City converted his 2022-23 two-way deal to a standard roster contract but declined his $1.9 million team option for this season earlier this summer. Waters is versatile and a good shooter who played better after the all-star break. He scored in double figures three times and averaged 5.2 points with a shooting slash line of .393/.358/.800 in 41 games.
The Thunder have 20 players on standard contracts. 2023 second-round draft pick Keyontae Johnson is the only player on a two-way deal.
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