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Ranking the LA Clippers’ top five threats in free agency

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past JaMychal Green #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the LA Clippers on February 25, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 25: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the LA Clippers on February 25, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 5: Dallas Mavericks

Projected cap room: $52.2 million

The Dallas Mavericks couldn’t get much done last season, even with star rookie Luka Doncic on the roster. However, they could be right back in the mix of playoff teams as early as next season if all goes according to plan this summer.

Dallas was able to make a trade for former New York Knicks phenom Kristaps Porzingis around the time of this year’s trade deadline, and although he’ll be a free agent this summer, he’s expected to re-sign with the Mavericks as soon as free agency begins later this month.

The 23-year-old Porzingis won’t earn max money, but he’ll still take up a decent chunk of the Mavericks’ cap room. Still though, they should be left with enough to sign an available max-level point guard — namely Kemba Walker.

It was reported in early March that Walker would be Dallas’ top free agent target this summer, and that likely hasn’t changed. The Mavs are in desperate need of a star point guard, considering their best player at the position last season was rookie Jalen Brunson.

Assuming the Mavericks re-sign Porzingis and add Walker, they won’t have the capacity to pursue other max-level targets like Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard, so Dallas should mostly keep out of the LA Clippers’ way. That much money certainly still makes them a threat though, especially once both squads move on to filling out their benches.

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