Dallas Mavericks Rumors: JaVale McGee, Samuel Dalembert, Kevin Seraphin Free Agent Targets? Maurice Ndour Gets Camp Contract Over NY Knicks

Jul 24, 2015 03:52 PM EDT
Maurice Ndour #55 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers
Maurice Ndour #55 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2015 NBA Las Vegas Summer League game on July 14, 2015 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada"

The Dallas Mavericks have signed Maurice Ndour to a training camp contract after the forward played for the NY Knicks Summer League team and he could make the Mavs roster this offseason and this comes as JaVale McGee, Samuel Dalembert, Kevin Seraphin and Greg Stiemsma are potential free agent targets for depth.

The Mavericks lost DeAndre Jordan after he changed his mind and went back to the Los Angeles Clippers and that led the team to trade for Zaza Pachulia. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Mavericks are still in the market for a "rim protector" and depth in the front court and there are still some options available. Marc Stein at ESPN reports that the team has had "exploratory" interest in JaVale McGee and the Mavs have also met with Dalembert about returning to Dallas.

Stein reported earlier in the month that Kevin Seraphin was getting interest from the Mavericks, Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers, but he has not yet signed with a team. PBT rep[orts that the Wizards "would love" to bring Seraphin back on a one-year deal to play behind Marcin Gortat. The team needs more depth and they are looking to keep the cap clear for 2016 to try to sign Kevin Durant. The Mavericks could look at Seraphin as an option along with Carlos Boozer, who has had some interest from the Clippers and Raptors this summer.

The Mavericks are still looking for a rim protector player, but the team also wanted more depth at forward and they may have found that in a Knicks summer league player. According to ESPN New York, Maurice Ndour signed a three year deal with the Mavericks after the Knicks had interest in keeping him. The deal reportedly had "more guaranteed money than the Knicks" offered and that is likely why Ndour signed in Dallas.

Ndour played well for the Knicks in the Summer League and was one of the defensive standouts, but he likely would not have gotten much playing time in New York. Ndour averaged close to 10 points per game during the summer with five rebounds and he also shot over 50 percent from the floor. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Knicks "liked what they saw" from Ndour and Knicks coach Derek Fisher said that the team was "not sure they would have an open roster spot" for him in camp.

The Knicks are looking to add a big man up front and that is why they held off on giving Ndour a deal. The Mavs are still searching for more depth up front as well and they previously met with Samuel Dalembert, according to Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports. Jarrid Famous and now Ndour have camp contracts with the Mavericks and they could make the roster if they play well in camp.

McGee is a risk because of his past injury issues and he comes in after playing in 23 games last season and only 28 games combined in the last two years. McGee is an option for the Knicks and the Mavericks and Dallas is also looking at Tyler Hansbrough and Elton Brand, according to Stein. The Mavs likely will at least one more big up front after losing Jordan to the Clippers.

Check here for more on Ndour and for more on the interest in JaVale McGee and Samuel Dalembert.

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