MAVS FREE AGENT TARGETS

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

MAVS FREE AGENT TARGETS:

There are 3 tiers of free agents in this upcoming class. The top tier is the Star-Caliber players. These are guys that would likely be either a defensive anchor or a third offensive weapon for this team. The top players in this tier have All-Star potential and would likely receive either starting minutes or be in the starting line-up. The second tier is the veteran players on the mid-level. These are guys that might be past their prime, but can mentor the young players and make occasional trips to the fountain of youth. Guys like this are critical in playoff situations. The final tier, and maybe even one of the more important tiers, are guys at or close to the league minimum. While most teams are top-heavy as far as contracts, these are guys that will likely be brought in to fill in the back-end of your roster.

STAR PLAYERS:

1. KYRIE IRVING - This was the obvious choice and there does not need to be a significant write-up, but the front office has made it clear that they are willing to meet all of Kyrie's demands to ensure he remains. After learning the lesson the hard way with Jalen Brunson this team is looking to not only makes sure Irving is financially secure, but that he is wanted and they are trying to improve on the roster.

2. DRAYMOND GREEN - It wouldn't surprise me to see Draymond just opt into his final year with the Warriors and try to run it back. The Warriors have a solid trade asset in Jordan Poole who underperformed in the playoffs. He could be combined with another upside player in Jonathan Kuminga to bring in more win-now talent around Curry and Draymond. Should Draymond decide to hold out and vie for a long-term deal, there is a possibility that the Mavs engage with Golden State to facilitate some sort of deal. The Mavs have some flexibility in their cap to get creative, so the money can work. His fit on the team would be excellent. The Mavericks have a top tier offensive and a bottom tier defense. Draymond is a defensive anchor that understands the flow of the game, is a multiple champion, and still has a little gas left in the tank. His agent is Rich Paul, so he would also be competing against several other teams with Klutch representation.

3. KHRIS MIDDLETON - Because he is coming off an injury, there might be a buy-low opportunity. He is 31 years old, but he still was able to show off his playoff prowess, and put up a near identical stat-line this post-season as he did the Championship year. He had unimpressive regular season numbers, but is a career 39% 3-point shooter and the Mavs could desperately use his defense. He is also an underrated passer and he would helpful in allowing Luka and Kyrie play more off the ball. His ability to create shots makes him just a complete player. He has a protype wing body and with an off-season to heal, he could return to elite status. It is most likely he stays with Milwaukee, but should he decide he wants an opportunity to play in a large market and compete with two super stars, Dallas would welcome him swiftly.

4. JAKOB POELTL - He is going to get a bag this off-season. The pool of centers in this free agency class is less than impressive and his fit with the Mavs would be perfect. Fred VanVleet has already opted out and we're seeing trade rumors swirling around already for teams trying to acquire OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Center is actually a position that Toronto needs, but they may look to bring in someone that better fits their timeline, as they look to rebuild around 21-year-old Scottie Barnes. Poeltl does a lot of what Dwight Powell dues setting screens and being the roll man, but has legitimate size and would be more impactful on the defensive end. He is still only 27, so the Mavs should feel confident in signing him to a 4-year deal.

5. NIKOLA VUCEVIC - While I would prefer a center that is a better defender, I think there are a lot of factors that go into him being on this list. The main reason is that he is probably the most consistent rebounder on this list. He has developed a respectable outside shot, is okay on defense [at least as good as Jokic is], and is an underrated passer. It sure doesn't hurt that him and Luka share the same agent. Poeltl would be a more natural fit, as Vucevic's offense is less valuable on this team than Poeltl's defense, but have some paint presence at least gives this team options.

MID-TIER:

1. BROOK LOPEZ - I'd be very surprised if he left Milwaukee, but Lopez would be an excellent addition to this team. He can burn you from beyond the arc, is a legitimate blocking threat, even at 35, and quietly averaged almost 16 points per game last year. He has not lost a step, averaging 36 minutes per game in the post-season, with an impressive 19 points per game, 1.8 blocks per game, and 41% from beyond the arc. He would be a huge addition to this Mavericks team desperate for a center.

2. BRUCE BROWN - Between Peyton Watson and Christian Braun, the Nuggets might look to give these guys more minutes next season, rather than open the piggy bank for Brown. He is an immediate perfect fit on all 30 teams in this league, but his immediate 3-and-D impact would drastically improve the Mavericks roster. He is basically a smaller Draymond with a better shot.

3. MATISSE THYBULLE - The Mavs absolutely could use his defense. It is literally his bread and butter. He did see a nice improvement in his 3-point shooting, hitting almost 37% of his outside shots, but it really comes down to his lock-down defense. Portland might look to move on, as they have difficult choices to make in keeping or moving on from Dame. Regardless of direction, Thybulle does not make much sense. They would probably use him in a sign and trade to improve their roster, or let him go if the contract is too much for them to feel comfortable matching.

4. GRANT WILLIAMS - Boston will be looking to make some major overhauls this off-season, and I don't think Grant Williams is in their plans. He's a sturdy tweener forward with solid range. He does not give the Mavericks that elite defender they desire, but could play nicely alongside one. He has the same agent as Luka, is only 24, and a Texas native. There could be some fire behind all of the smoke around his name.

5. MASON PLUMLEE - A solid back-up big, he is a 7-footer, can rebound, pass, and has solid post moves. He is sort of a poor man's Vucevic, but could be an option if the Mavs cannot find ways to get an elite center in this off-season. Plumlee can put up starter minutes and has been one of the few durable Duke players. He has already played with several future Hall of Famers, so I think he'll fit right into this roster.

3RD TIER:

1. ANDRE DRUMMOND - He could be an awesome back-up center for a team that really needs rebounding both starting and off-the-bench. While he only averaged 6.6 rebounds per game last season, his per-36 in rebounding was 18.8, and his steals per-36 was 1.9. It could have been the system, but he has fouled a lot in games for Chicago, and many have said his defense is not what it once was. Despite being 29, he moves like an old 29. If the Mavs can maximize him in a 20-25 minutes per game, he could be a valuable bench asset.

2. DENNIS SMITH JR - Yeah, I went there. With LaMelo going down with injury, he stepped up and showed why he was a lottery pick. He still has hops, is a decent rebounder, and could be a nice 3rd ball-handler on this team. Him pairing with Hardy in the backcourt off of the bench would be electric. He is still only 25 and I think he would join this team on a "prove it" contract. He already has some chemistry with Luka and I think it would be a nice storyline to bring him back.

3. PATRICK BEVERLEY - Purse sandpaper, he makes a lot of sense for this team. He has the hunger, the defense, and hopefully he's not too small to play off the bench for Luka's team. His ability to get under his opponent's skin and his pesky defense could be valuable, as he looks to try to join a winning team to finish his career. He may not be the elite defender he was a few years ago, but he is a strong voice in the locker room and can be impactful even in games he doesn't play.

4. JALEN MCDANIELS - His value is all over the place, but he could be a solid fit for the Mavericks. He's a gritty 2-way wing with size, can shoot the 3-ball, and has the same agent as Luka. His per-minute production improved drastically on a winning team like Philly, so the Mavs could expect similar numbers. Consistency might be an issue that keeps him out of the starting line-up, but he is only 25 and up until 5 minutes ago, has only played on really bad teams.

5. SETH CURRY - Health could be a factor in whether or not he makes sense, but his last go-around with the Mavs was quite successful. Despite the injuries last season, he still put up respectable numbers and is one of the league's best shooters. He has chemistry with Kyrie from his time in Brooklyn and maybe 3rd time is the charm with the Mavs.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

There are just so many guys available in this free agent class, it was too hard to pick just 5 in each category. There were also a couple of guys sort of difficult to classify. Here are some guys I like for the Mavs:

1. PJ WASHINGTON - With likely Kuzma, Grant, and even Rui too expensive to probably add to the roster, Washington might make the most sense as the budget alternative. He is a solid forward in the pick-and-roll, is agile enough to guard practically all 5 positions, and if it was not for his inaccuracies in his shooting, would probably already be in the top 5 in the mid-level category. He is still really young but the tough part in pitching to him, is that you don't know if he could be a core piece to your roster long-term, or if he should just accept a high-usage bench role on a really good team. His lack of a role makes it hard to figure what his financial expectations are and his ideal position would be.

2. DILLON BROOKS - As soon as it was announced he'd no longer be with the Grizzlies, social media immediately responded with Mavs. While he wouldn't be a horrible fit on paper, he has a lot of issues both with his shot and off-court drama. I don't know if he's trying to build his brand being a league villain or if he just abrasive. Best case scenario you could bring him in to play a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope type role, but your worst case scenario you don't really even want to think about. I think the juice isn't worth the squeeze, but you at least entertain it.

3. NAZ REID - He fixes a lot of the Mavs problems but I have concerns about his toughness. I think he would get bullied by centers in the West. He is obviously a very strong player, but I think he'll end up on a team that wants to continue to develop him as a starter. I don't really see him as a starter, but more of an offensive-upside small ball center. He has developed a nice outside shot, but I just don't think he makes sense in the timeline. His playoff performance was limited due to his inexperience and I think he just needs more time in the league to figure out what type of player he wants to be.

4. KELLY OUBRE - The Mavs said they wanted to bring in athletic guys, and that's what Oubre can do. He is an exciting wing player whose inconsistencies may just be a victim of being on a really bad team. He is in his prime, has protype size, can guard multiple positions, and would not require a significant portion of your cap. He would see starter minutes for this Mavs team and having a lot of veterans around him could help his game improve.

5. DWIGHT POWELL - I saved the best for last. He will be back, there is no doubt. He has continued to practice at the Mavs facility, attend team functions and events, and as far as I know, his house is not on the market. While he might not be the Mavs' favorite player, I think he will regain the fans' love when he returns to his normal role off the bench.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2023]