Mavericks Rumors: Ding Yanyuhang Considered a 'Logical Fit'

The Dallas Mavericks could reunite with Chinese forward Ding Yanyuhang this summer, according to Mike Fisher of 247Sports.com:

"I'm told Ding is presently working out in Los Angeles, rehabbing from a minor injury, with a desire of joining the Mavs in some capacity. ... Though 're-joining' is technically more accurate. A logical fit, sources tell me: Training camp in the fall, just in time for the Mavs' October exhibition game against the Philadelphia 76ers that will be staged in China."

Yanyuhang, 24, played for the Mavericks' summer league team last offseason, averaging 6.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11 appearances.

Ding has won the Chinese Basketball Association's MVP award the past two seasons for the Shandong Golden Stars, averaging 26.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in 2017-18 while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from three.

In the NBA, he likely could establish a role on the end of a bench, or he could sign a two-way contract, which would allow him to continue his development in the G League.

But Fisher added Dallas' potential move could be about more than just Ding's ability on the court:

"Playing for the Mavs in a game staged in China would be important to his NBA chances. But I believe far more important than that is the impact that his participation would have on the NBA's relationship with China, on the Mavs' relationship with China (where the 'Lone Ranger Heroes,' nee 'Little Cows,' are among the most popular American teams) and on his own reputation as a star in his native country."

Ding proved last summer he could play, so he wouldn't be a novelty act.

"He's played really well and put himself in a real good position," Mavericks general manager Donn Nelson said in July, per Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News. "He's got lots of opportunities. We like him a lot. And the whole thing has happened pretty fast."

The question may end up being whether Ding can make more money playing in China than he would in the NBA, especially if he's only offered two-way contracts. But it appears likely he'll have another chance to prove himself this summer.