The Dallas Mavericks have gone from free agency boom to bust and traded for veteran center Zaza Pachulia to fill in their void at the position.
Last week, Dallas was celebrating after center DeAndre Jordan verbally committed to join the team for a four-year maximum deal worth more than $80 million.
But everything changed this week when the Los Angeles Clippers persuaded Jordan to stay on after they met with him and re-signed him to a new deal right after the NBA lifted a league-wide moratorium on roster business.
The sudden change left Dallas with a huge void to fill after center Tyson Chandler joined the Phoenix Suns because of the Mavericks' intention to land Jordan during free agency.
Chandler said before signing with the Suns that he was willing to be a second option for the Mavericks if Jordan became part of the team.
Now Dallas looks to address that issue after trading for Pachulia in exchange for a future second-round draft pick for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Pachulia, 31, is a 12-year veteran who has had stints with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. The veteran center played in 73 regular season games for Milwaukee last season, including 45 starts, and averaged 8.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals. The Bucks reached the playoffs but were eliminated by the Chicago Bulls in the first round after six games.
Pachulia may not provide the same intensity and energy Jordan can, but he will surely be playing quality minutes for the Mavericks. Dallas will absorb the $5.25 million contract of Pachulia into their cap space as part of the deal.
Along with Pachulia, the Mavericks also added former Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews after signing him to a four-year maximum deal worth $70 million.
The deal is a bit surprising since Matthews is coming off an Achilles tendon injury that he suffered last season, making him miss the remainder of the year and the Blazers' playoff run.
