BEST FREE AGENT FITS FOR DALLAS MAVERICKS

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

BEST FREE AGENT FITS FOR DALLAS MAVERICKS:

1. JALEN BRUNSON - SG - $18-20M/YEAR - In games without Luka Doncic, Brunson is averaging 20.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 7.5 APG, with 49/35/81 splits. There are only 4 guards in the entire NBA that averaged more than 20 points and 7 assists per game with 45% or higher field goal percentage - Garland, Trae, Luka, and Dejounte - all 4 made the All-Star team this year. Brunson is probably the best fit to pair alongside Luka Doncic. He is a high-IQ player, they can play off of each other, he defends larger than he is, and has excellent chemistry with the team. He will be highly coveted this summer, so the Mavericks will have to open up the piggybank to secure him. The Mavericks desperately need help in the paint, but Brunson should and will be the #1 priority this summer. With the Mavericks holding his Bird Rights, they can offer him the most lucrative salary as well.

2. DEANDRE AYTON - C - $25+M/YEAR - This would require a lot of cap manipulation, but we have the contracts to acquire him in a sign and trade potentially. He is a restricted free agent, but during the regular season, he was top 10 in defensive rating and top 3 in net rating among starting centers. He'll be 24 this summer, but averaged a career best 17 points per game, with over 10 rebounds. His defensive rating doesn't necessarily translate into blocked shots or steals, but he impacts the game and has shown glimpses of expanding his range. Between his benching in the playoffs, the Suns collapse against the Mavs, and the vibe of Ayton being displeased with the contract negotiations, he may choose to move on from the Suns. The Suns have a lot of money owed to Chris Paul and Devin Booker and could opt to try to lure veteran free agents to fill out their front court. The Mavs could sell the vision of Luka/Brunson/Ayton core for the next 4 years.

3. ANDRE DRUMMOND - C - $10-15M/YEAR - If Kidd can bring out the prime Drummond from Detroit, he could be a huge value contract for the Mavs. One of the largest critiques for the Mavs was their lack of rebounding. Their best rebounder has been Luka Doncic all season, but having a guy like Drummond in the paint helps drastically in their run and gun system. When the 3-point shot isn't there, having a glass getter like Drummond would be very beneficial. His actual defense has been hit or miss and he has experienced a lot of injuries in his career, but he's an underrated passer, has gotten at least a sort of respectable free throw percentage compared to early in his career, and with Luka's incredible passing, he'll get plenty of scoring around the rim. He will be 29 going into this season and could play that DeAndre Jordan / Tyson Chandler role for this team next year.

4. BRUCE BROWN - SF - $5-10M/YEAR - Bruce Brown could be a major value contract. He is an excellent two-way player that really stepped up during the playoffs. He is an efficient outside shooter, plays excellent defense, is a great rebounder for his position, can guard the 1-4 well, and is still only 25. He will likely be courted by several other teams, but he could be an excellent addition whether he starts or comes off of the bench. There are teams with excess cap space that might open their wallets to ensure they get him, but if he's looking to win, Dallas could be an excellent destination with Simmons and Harris potentially eating into his minutes next season and the dysfunction surrounding the Nets organization.

5. JAVALE MCGEE - C - $6-12M/YEAR - Another Suns center on the list, McGee still has enough in the tank to help the Mavs for another year or two. He likely wouldn't get a full work load, but he could start and finish games against the big centers and gives the Mavericks flexibility. McGee has history with the organization and with the Suns potentially having to make major financial choices, he could be let go in favor of Biyombo to re-sign Ayton. There is a lot hinging this summer on whether he stays with the Suns, but if he decides to leave, the Mavs could really use him as an upgrade in the paint.

6. ZACH LAVINE - SG/SF - $30M+/YEAR - If negotiations with Brunson fail, LaVine immediately becomes a priority. Ayton will have 28 other teams as suitors - as he is an immediate fit across the league. LaVine, however, has given a short list and the Mavericks are one of 4 teams he called out by name. The Lakers are likely the front runners, but with LaVine being an unrestricted free agent, he is capable of doing as he pleases. Obviously, this would be a huge loss for Chicago, as LaVine has become default star, but if he opts out of a max deal with them, he will be highly coveted. The Mavericks would have to do a lot of cap Jiu Jitsu to work their way into this contract, but I've seen crazier scenarios. He is probably a dark horse free agent player for them, but he's definitely on the radar.

7. KEVON LOONEY - C - $15-18M/YEAR - After Looney's play in the WCF, he would be doing himself a disservice to not shop around the league to see his value. Looney is not super vocal about his feelings toward the organization, and with Wiseman still an unknown long-term for this franchise, the smart money seems that he will sign a long-term deal with them. That being said, Looney would correct a lot of the issues with the Mavericks. When used correctly, he's an excellent two-way center that has averaged 10.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, with 73% shooting. He makes things difficult in the paint, which is something that Mavs need to improve at doing. Despite being only 26, he's never played more than 22 minutes per game in his career. He averaged over 12 rebounds per-36 this season and was durable enough to play in every game this season. He would be higher on this list if he wasn't most likely to return to Golden State.

8. JALEN SMITH - PF/C - $10-12M/YEAR - Smith went berserk after the Pacers acquired him. After averaging 6 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game with Phoenix, he then averaged 13.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with Indiana. He shot 37% from beyond the arc over those 22 games and he'll only be 22 going into next season. Dallas gives Smith the best of both worlds - he'll get a chance to play heavy minutes, as well as be part of a competing franchise. His defensive rating has been less than impressive throughout his career, but I think his offense and rebounding are enough to work well in Kidd's system.

9. MITCHELL ROBINSON - C - $10-12M/YEAR - Smith got the slight edge over Robinson on this list due to his rangy shooting ability, but Robinson is a true center. Robinson was able to play a career high 72 games this season, but injuries has plagued the early parts of his career. His advanced analytics have him deserving of more minutes, but his body just might not be able to. He has the potential to be a top tier center, entering his age-24 season, averaging 12 rebounds per-36, and 2.6 blocks per-36. The Knicks are really shallow at this position, but they could opt to play small ball next season with Toppin and Randle in the paint. Outside of Embiid and Bam, there are not a ton of major center threats in the East, so the Knicks might try to address their point guard issues first and engage with whatever centers are left in free agency.

10. MO BAMBA - C - $10-12M/YEAR - Another young center that might be on the move this off-season. The Magic can match any offer he receives this off-season, but with the Magic likely selecting Chet Holgrem or Paolo Banchero, Bamba might be the odd-man out. Wendell Carter Jr is in a long-term deal, so whatever the Magic can get via sign-and-trade for Bamba, they'll take. He started most of the games he played in this season, but he is another big whose injuries have hurt his career. Posting a career best 10.6 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game, his per-36 is a double double with major blocking upside. His incredible arm length is what made him a high draft commodity, but he might be out of patience with a team that has been toward the bottom of the standings for several years. Their team consists of several lottery picks from the last few drafts and still can't manage to win - he might look to move to a team that is more interested in winnings games than collecting assets.

11. JUSUF NURKIC - C - $12-15M/YEAR - He's a solid player per the numbers, but he has not proven to lead to winning games. Despite all of that, it seems likely that he will return to Portland on a team-friendly deal. Portland has a really high draft pick and is likely to draft an elite wing over a center. With Lillard hopefully back, Anfernee Simons likely to play a huge role next to dame, Josh Hart being added for his defensive presence, and several young guys starting to emerge as major role players, Nurkic might feel comfortable staying with the team. Dallas would likely have to make additional moves to bring him in due to his contract and Dallas might not find the rewards worth the risk in the way that Portland would.

12. GORAN DRAGIC - G - VET MIN - Dragic would be a culture add. He would really only be worth bringing in if Dallas had to clear up roster space to consolidate for a big fish free agent. Dragic would be an excellent fit for the Mavs bench and provides a lot of what Dinwiddie has provided for the Mavs after the Porzingis trade. He is entering the twilight of his career, but most of the successful teams in this playoffs have had an aged guard on their roster. He brings a veteran presence, has excellent chemistry with Luka, and gives an affordable third ball handler outside of Doncic and Brunson.

13. HASSAN WHTIESIDE - C - VET MIN - He is a shell of his Miami version, but he's still a true 7-foot center with excellent rebounding ability and solid blocking. He averaged 7 rebounds in only 12 minutes per game in the 3 games in Dallas during their series, so he could be seen has an upside center for a team with nobody on the roster that fits that role. His per-36 numbers are still cheat code high, but a slew of injuries and the fact that he'll be 33 in a month may make his appeal less.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2022]