NBA Free Agency 2018: Mavericks make qualifying offers to Yogi Ferrell, Doug McDermott and Salah Mejri

The Dallas Mavericks have made qualifying offers to Yogi Ferrell, Doug McDermott and Salah Mejri, per reports from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and Eddie Sefko of Dallas Morning News. By officially making the offer, Ferrell ($2.9 million), McDermott ($9.8 million) and Mejri ($1.8 million) become restricted free agents for the Mavericks — allowing Dallas to sign each player outright, or match any offer sheet each signs (within 72 hours).

Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson had until June 29th to make this decision. As restricted free agents, each player has the option to sign an offer sheet elsewhere, sign a new deal in Dallas, or take the qualifying offer which would make them unrestricted free agents next summer.

Ferrell has left his mark in Dallas over the last 18 months. Appearing in all 82 games last season (21 starts), Yogi averaged 10 points, three rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 28 minutes per game, shooting 37 percent from three. He played a major role in a bench unit that was the best lineup for Rick Carlisle’s squad.

He was joined in that lineup for the second half of the season by McDermott, who slotted in seamlessly after the trade departure of Devin Harris. Dougie McBuckets averaged nine points, 2.5 rebounds and an assist, while shooting 49 percent from three (23 minutes per game, 26 games). Mejri, often finding himself in and out of the rotation, appeared in 61 games, averaging 3.5 points, four rebounds and a block per contest.

Though many projected Ferrell to return on a new contract in Dallas, that future became muddied last week when the Mavericks drafted Jalen Brunson — a 6’2 200 pound junior point guard from Villanova — with the 33rd pick. Brunson, who turns 22 in August, looks to learn and contribute behind Dennis Smith Jr., Luka Dončić, and veteran Carlisle security blanket J.J. Barea. With a crowded roster at the position, Ferrell might be the odd man out. But in making the qualifying offer, the Mavericks give themselves some flexibility to hold on to Ferrell, or possibly use him in a sign and trade.

There figures to be some need for a wing off the bench like Doug McDermott in Dallas next season. And for Mejri, while providing some rim protection, may not have a spot, considering the Mavericks desire to find a permanent solution at center.

Continue to check in with Mavs Moneyball as this, and every other free agency story develops over the next several days and weeks in Dallas.