Mavericks expected to ‘go hard’ after DeMarcus Cousins

The talk around DeMarcus Cousins’ eventual trip to NBA free agency has already started.

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon fired the first shot, noting the Dallas Mavericks are one team ready to  pursue the NBA’s best big man:

For Mavs fans who might be wondering, DeMarcus Cousins is set to hit free agency in summer of 2018. Yes, Mavs expected to go hard after him.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 22, 2016

Cousins leaving the Sacramento Kings seems assured. The Kings haven’t done a good job of surrounding Cousins with talent over the years. He’s now 26 years old and posted averages of 26.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game last season, so he won’t have any problems getting a max deal anywhere he so chooses, alongside all the endorsements and star power that comes with it.

Dallas makes sense as the team continues to try to get nothing but the best for Dirk Nowitzki’s last few years in the league. The Mavericks won’t be alone in the pursuit, though, and recent attempts at luring big names around has only resulted in one big signing—Harrison Barnes.

After getting burned by DeAndre Jordan, the Mavericks have their eyes on an even bigger prize.