The Dallas Mavericks were striking out left and right this free agency (much like other years), but the Golden State Warriors have given Mark Cuban a bone after signing Kevin Durant.
As a casualty of the KD to Oakland deal, Andrew Bogut will now be traded to the Mavs, with his buddy Harrison Barnes being signed to a max sheet he was seeking this offseason. Obviously, Golden State doesn’t have the cap space to retain either of these championship pieces next season. The likes of Festus Ezeli and Leandro Barbosa are also gone, with only Shaun Livingston being the one stays in the Bay Area with the Core Four.
After renouncing the rights to Barnes and becoming an unrestricted free agent, the forward will receive a four-year, $94 million max deal with the Mavs (no match necessary), while Bogut will be part of a trade deal that will only send a draft pick to the Warriors.
Dallas isn’t considered a title contender, by any means, but they have definitively strengthened the squad after missing out on names like Dwight Howard, Mike Conley and Hassan Whiteside. Not to mention, losing Chandler Parsons to the Memphis Grizzlies.
One team’s cap space casualty is another team’s treasure.
OS REWIND: Kevin Durant Leaves Oklahoma City, Signs with the Warriors