‘You can’t ask for anything better’

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated.

Wesley Iwundu’s name probably didn’t occur to him when Mavericks fans wondered which free agents the franchise might sign, but that didn’t matter for the 6-6 and 195 wing. books.

Iwundu, a native of Houston and product of the State of Kansas, was so excited to enter into a two-year contract with the Mavericks that when he was struck by The news he sounded like he was incredulous.

This will happen when you’ve spent your three-year NBA career with a fringe playoff team like Orlando, and suddenly you’re back in your home state, playing for the 2011 NBA Championship franchise that you watched growing up. .

“He’s No.1, just from Texas, but also going on a team like this is pretty big,” he said. “It’s a different ball game. These are suitors, man. I’m so excited that I can’t put it into words. “

For the Mavericks, Saturday’s second free agency day actually started shortly after midnight Friday.

That’s when they struck a three-team trade with Detroit and Oklahoma City that landed Luka Doncic’s new karate protector, power forward and black belt James Johnson and gave Dallas additional flexibility of the salary cap for summer 2021.

The Mavericks’ departures in that deal, Delon Wright and Justin Jackson, became exhausted after Dallas acquired winger Josh Richardson and draft picks Josh Green, Tyrell Terry and Tyler Bey.

On Saturday, two sources said The news 2011 NBA Finals fan favorite and hero JJ Barea will return for a 12th season for the Mavericks. And when the deal with Iwundu went public, it apparently gave the Mavericks 15 players slated for the roster and two – Bey and Nate Hinton – who agreed to two-way deals.

A Mavericks source on Saturday night, however, said The news that Dallas still has an open spot on the list. It’s not clear where this place came from – maybe a business that hasn’t been announced yet? – but the Mavericks apparently have a spot and it would be wise to add a center.

Kristaps Porzingis, who just had meniscus surgery, will not be allowed to resume basketball activities until early January, and Dwight Powell is returning from 10 months of rehabilitation after surgery in January to repair a ruptured Achilles right.

On Saturday night, centers that remained available included Serge Ibaka, Hassan Whiteside, Aron Baynes, Marc Gasol and last season’s Maverick, Willie Cauley-Stein.

So why did the Mavericks add another wing, Iwundu, to what appears to be a crowded group?

“Don’t sleep on Wes,” a Mavericks source said Saturday night. “We are building a much more athletic and longer wing set.”

Iwundu, the No.33 pick in the 2017 draft, started 21 of the 52 games he played last season for the Magic. His three-year career averages are 4.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 32% from 3-pointers, although last season he improved his percentage by 3 points to 34%.

In large part, he’s got to give the Mavericks another tough, lanky wing defender. Iwundu said the Mavericks staff didn’t discuss the role they wanted him to play, but had a pretty good idea.

“First defense, of course,” he said. “Try to help relieve some of these guys on the offensive side. And also the 3-ball, spot and be ready to take the open shot. A lot of other things that fit into my game and keep up with the fast pace these guys are playing will also be a great thing.

That pace is of course led by Doncic, the 21-year-old who has just completed an All-NBA first-team season and is projected as one of the most valuable player favorites of the coming season.

“You can’t ask for anything better,” Iwundu said. “This is a golden opportunity. What he is able to bring to a team is spectacular from every angle. So many things he can do. Just watching and seeing him wearing the same jersey as you on the pitch gives someone like me a lot of confidence to go and win a few games – and go far.

In the playoffs, that is.

Find more Mavericks reporting from The Dallas Morning News here.