Mavs Lose Key Piece Aminu to Blazers in Free Agency

As NBA free agency dawns the Mavs haven’t signed an important player. But they’ve already lost one.

Forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who flashed his potential in the playoff loss to the Rockets, is leaving Dallas to sign a contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.

While it’s a disappointing loss for the Mavs, it’s not unexpected. It’s one of the reasons they drafted Justin Anderson – who plays a similar position with a similar skill set – last week.

The Blazers needed help at forward, as they expect to lose All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency, possibly to the Mavs.

Aminu, 24 and the 8th overall pick in the 2010 draft, bobbed between the bench and Rick Carlisle’s rotation last year before ramping up his game in the postseason. When Chandler Parsons left the series with a knee injury, he averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds to help the Mavs stay competitive and raise his stock in free agency.

Would have been nice for the Mavs to keep Aminu and add Anderson to what would have been a versatile, athletic frontcourt. But Dallas has its money earmarked for even bigger prizes.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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