NBA Notes: Mavericks, Klay Thompson, Nets, DeMar DeRozan, Clippers

Mavericks

The Mavericks still prefer to trade Klay Thompson rather than buy him out, but communication has opened between the veteran guard and Dallas’ new front office.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Mavericks president Masai Ujiri has had direct contact with Thompson this offseason regarding his future.

Dallas has maintained since June that its preference is to find a trade for Thompson, who is entering the final year of his contract. Thompson hasn’t requested a buyout, though the Heat and Lakers have been mentioned as teams that could have interest if he eventually reaches free agency.

Miami’s interest sounds particularly strong.

“Miami is desperate for Klay Thompson, but they want to sign him as a free agent,” Stein said during a DLLS Mavericks livestream. “They would not be the only team interested.”

That second part is important. The Heat apparently would love Thompson without having to surrender anything to Dallas to get him.

The Mavericks have some roster housekeeping to do before opening night, and Thompson has increasingly looked like a potential odd man out. At the moment, though, they’re apparently going to see whether a trade market develops before considering other options.

Nets

Could DeMar DeRozan end up in Brooklyn?

Doug Smith of the Toronto Star recently identified the Nets as one of several potential landing spots for the six-time All-Star, along with the Heat, Trail Blazers and Nuggets.

There’s no indication that a deal with Brooklyn is imminent. In fact, Smith noted that there’s little urgency for DeRozan to choose his next team during one of the NBA calendar’s quietest stretches.

Still, Sameer Kumar of Nets On SI made the case that DeRozan could give Brooklyn another veteran scorer alongside Julius Randle, particularly someone capable of creating his own shot late in games.

The Nets also have younger players such as Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. who need touches and development time, so adding DeRozan wouldn’t necessarily be a seamless fit.

At this stage of his career, a contender may ultimately make more sense. But with DeRozan still available in mid-August, Brooklyn is at least one destination being floated.

Clippers

The Clippers’ decision to re-sign Bradley Beal continues to raise questions about how their roster will fit together.

Zion Trammell of Clippers On SI took a look at the depth chart and concluded that Beal’s return makes an already crowded backcourt even more complicated.

Beal agreed to a two-year, $13.2 million contract with a player option for the second season despite appearing in only six games last year before undergoing season-ending hip surgery.

Assuming the pending Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto is completed as expected, Los Angeles will have a significant number of guards and wings, including Darius Garland, Keaton Wagler, Gradey Dick, Kris Dunn and Beal.

Then there’s restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin, whom the Clippers reportedly still have interest in retaining.

As we noted previously, that’s what makes the Beal contract a little difficult to understand. Los Angeles is trying to get younger, Beal is 33, played six games last season and actually received a raise.

Something eventually may have to give.

Trammell identifies Cam Christie as one possible roster casualty, though another trade could also clear space.

Either way, the Clippers suddenly have plenty of bodies in the backcourt. Whether they have the right ones is another question.