The Dallas Mavericks have been pretty quiet this offseason. The Mavericks missed the playoffs last season after reaching the postseason for three straight seasons. They finished at the bottom of the Western Conference last season with a mediocre 33-49 record, good for the 11th spot in the Western Conference standings. The fans expected to see some roster changes and upgrades this summer in order to compete for the playoffs next season, but Dallas hasn't made any major moves so far. Probably the best news that came for the Mavericks fans this offseason was about the return of Dirk Nowitzki.
Nowitzki announced earlier this summer that he will play at least one more season for the Mavericks before retiring. On Friday night it was reported that Dallas acquired another solid player via free agency.
Withey headed to Texas
Shams Charania of The Vertical reported on Friday that the Dallas Mavericks and Jeff Withey have agreed on a one-year deal. It is still unknown how much is the deal worth, but it is believed that Withey signed a contract for the veteran's minimum. Withey was a late second-round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers. The 27-year-old seven-footer played for the Utah Jazz for the past two seasons, and last season with the Jazz he averaged 2.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game.
He played an average of 8.5 minutes per game and shot 53 percent from the field.
Free agent center Jeff Withey has agreed to a one-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 18. kolovoza 2017.
He is expected to provide the Mavericks with frontcourt depth, as he proved last season he can be a solid defender with his great size and length.
Withey will most likely continue to come off the bench next season for the Mavericks as he'll be the backup center, playing behind Nerlens Noel and Salah Mejri. The Mavericks will look for Withey to protect the painted area, and to rebound at a high rate next season.
Sloan back in the NBA
After playing for the GuanDong Southern Tigers in China last season, Donald Sloan is back in the NBA.
According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, Sloan signed a one-year deal with the Washington Wizards. Sloan is a 6-foot-3 point guard, with five-years of NBA experience. Before playing in China last season, he played 61 games for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2015/2016 season and averaged 7.0 points per game. Sloan holds career averages of 5.5 points and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 41 percent from the field. He is projected to be the backup point guard for the Wizards next season. At 6-foot-3, Sloan has good size for the point guard position and he already proved he can play at the highest level in the NBA.
Free agent Donald Sloan, a 5-year NBA veteran, has agreed on a one-year deal with the Washington Wizards, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 17. kolovoza 2017.
