The Dallas Mavericks cannot seem to figure out how to best utilize their team. They have one of the league’s superstars in Luka Doncic and a borderline elite big man in Kristaps Porzingis but look to be set for the Western Conference play-in. One would think they should be a lot better than that. Their form, recently, has been poor as well, as they’ve only secured one win in the last four games thanks to a miracle shot by Doncic. This offseason will be crucial to secure as much talent as they can (with a projected over $30 million in cap space) before having to extend their Slovenian wonderboy.
Dallas Mavericks: Top Free Agents to Consider this Offseason
Tier One Targets – Making the Dallas Mavericks Contenders
DeMar DeRozan is a top-notch veteran who fits very well with this current Dallas team. Given the health concerns surrounding Porzingis, the Mavericks will be smart to add another reliable scorer to the team. DeRozan can step in as the team’s most experienced player while certainly averaging at least 20 points per game alongside Doncic. The Mavericks should certainly entertain a two-year deal for roughly $30 million.
Norman Powell brings similar talents as DeRozan, but he’s also younger. He can be a starting shooting guard for another five years. Due to that, however, he’s going to be expensive. This season he’s averaging 19 points per game on an astounding 43 percent clip from deep. His shooting can potentially allow him to score more points per game in Dallas than Porzingis.
Gary Trent is one of the most ideal options. He’s becoming one of the top “three-and-d” players in the league, shooting 39 percent from deep while being a lockdown perimeter defender. Since being traded to the Toronto Raptors, Trent has also dropped 40+ points twice. He’s going to be a restricted free agent, however, so his price will be steep.
Dallas needs help with defense and rebounding in the frontcourt. Enter Jarrett Allen. This season he’s averaging 13 points, 10 boards, and nearly two blocks per game. He’d form a twin-tower defensive threat alongside Porzingis while allowing Dallas to bring a defensive stud and long-range sniper like Maxi Kleber off the bench. Like Trent, Allen is a restricted free agent and will be expensive as well.
Tier Two Targets – Climbing out of the Play-In Zone
Lonzo Ball is going to be as expensive as the tier one targets, but his fit in Dallas is interesting. Ball is an outstanding defender and really growing as a three-point shooter. With that being said, his pass-first style would be interrupted playing alongside Doncic. He has the talents to greatly improve the Mavericks’ frontcourt, but he just may not be a great fit.
Duncan Robinson is already established as one of the NBA’s top three-point shooters. Simply put, Dallas needs more shooters to surround Doncic with. Doncic will find them whenever they’re open like he does now, but unfortunately, the current Dallas shooters aren’t necessarily elite. Robinson’s numbers are “down” this season, shooting 41 percent deep as opposed to 45 percent like last season. Either of those percentages will be welcomed with open arms in Dallas.
Bobby Portis is finding himself again this season with the Milwaukee Bucks. With that being said, he’s more than capable of being a starting power forward. If Dallas commits to Porzingis at the five, then Portis is a great option to start at the four. This season he’s averaging 11 points and seven boards per game while shooting an amazing 47 percent from deep. Most impressively, this is all coming in 21 minutes on the floor. Portis’s numbers can explode in Dallas.
Lastly, there’s Richaun Holmes. He’s going to be one of the more underrated free agents coming into the offseason but ultimately will command a hefty payday. He deserves this, however, as he’s established himself as the best big man in Sacramento. This season he’s averaging 14 points, nine rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. He’s very efficient around the rim too and will be Doncic’s primary lob threat.
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