The Dallas Mavericks have shown interest in landing free agent point guard Jeremy Lin from the Los Angeles Lakers, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported. The Texan team is "exploring sign-and-trade possibilities" that would give the team a backcourt boost it desperately needs following major free agency losses this offseason.

Revival of a young career

The likelihood of Lin taking the starting point guard role is high, giving the 26-year-old "the best opportunity to reignite his career" after many successive trades in his young career. Wojnarowski said that having Devin Harris and Raymond Felton as the only other guards puts Lin in the position to start for the Mavericks.

Sources said Lin's friendship with Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons gives Dallas a running start in the race for Lin's acquisition despite their inability to offer a higher priced contract. Lin and Parsons played together in the Houston Rockets two seasons ago. The 2013 Rockets lineup was broken up after a first round playoffs loss to the Portland Trailblazers. Parsons also played an important role in securing high profile free agent DeAndre Jordan to the Mavericks after his stellar showing with the LA Clippers, Dallas Morning News reported.

Mavericks looking to ramp up

The Mavericks continue to pursue Lin after completing its most expensive free agency signing in Jordan and another big name acquisition in Wesley Matthews, Wojnarowski noted. The two expensive contracts have depleted the Mavericks' bargaining finances, forcing them to explore a sign-and-trade with the Lakers to get Lin. Their cap space is almost dry and a remaining exception has already been allocated for J.J. Barea's renewed contract.

Sources said that an option for the Mavericks would be to waive-and-stretch Felton's contract, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. This move would need a prior commitment from Lin to be possible.

A good fit

The Mavericks are hoping that the opportunity to play with an elite frontcourt in German legend Dirk Nowitzki, Jordan and Parsons will have a considerable pull for Lin.

In his fifth season, Lin posted an average of 11.2 points and 4.6 assists per game, as per NBA.com. If he goes to the Mavericks, he is expected to run pick-and-rolls with Jordan. Jordan's dominant presence in the paint can anchor the defense, making Lin's defensive deficiencies less impactful. The Mavericks lost guards Monta Ellis and Rajon Rondo in free agency to free up cap space for Matthews and Jordan's contracts, making Lin's arrival very much needed for the team.