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Rumor Central: Mavs to use summer to evaluate DeAndre Liggins

The Mavericks will have DeAndre Liggins under contract for next season, if they pick up their 2017-18 team option by the June 24 deadline. Benny Sieu/USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers waived guard DeAndre Liggins late in the 2016-17 NBA regular season on April 9. Two days later, he joined the Dallas Mavericks after they made a successful waiver claim of his contract. According to Mavs.com, management and the coaching staff will evaluate Liggins over the next few months to determine if he has a shot to make their 2017-18 opening roster.

Rumor Central

The Mavericks will own Liggins' rights next season, if they pick up his team option by June 24. If that occurs, Liggins will gain $26,773 worth of salary protection for the 2017-18 season. If they do not, Liggins will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

“We liked him in the summer," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said back in April. "He’s long, he knows how to defend, he likes to defend, he shot 38 percent from three, he can move the ball and he's played some point forward. You know, he doesn't have much of a mid-range game, and that's what has kind of hurt him. But we'll see."

Liggins, a four-year NBA veteran, made 61 appearances (19 starts) with the Cavaliers in 2016-17, and he averaged 2.4 points and 1.7 rebounds. In his lone game with the Mavs, Liggins posted eight points and seven rebounds.

-- Nick Silva