5 Dream, 5 Reach, and 5 Realistic Free Agents for the Mavericks to Target Post Draft

NBA free agency is just a few days away, and the Dallas Mavericks have an opportunity to improve this summer after reaching the 2024 NBA Finals last season.

Dallas’ magical postseason run came to an end in the Finals against the Boston Celtics, but there is still plenty to be excited about as a Mavs fan.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are unquestionably one of the league’s best duos, and Nico Harrison has done an excellent job of surrounding them with complementary players.

5 Dream, 5 Reach, and 5 Realistic Free Agents for the Mavericks to Target After Draft

Doncic and Irving are quieting the doubters who said they wouldn’t work together, and Harrison is looking for ways to improve this team through free agency and trade deals.

It’s abundantly clear that Dallas and Tim Hardaway Jr. want to part ways after a difficult season marked by frustration with his role, and Quentin Grimes of the Detroit Pistons is a rumored trade target Dallas could acquire in exchange for Hardaway Jr.

There have also been a few rumors about the Mavs’ free agency plans, and Mavs fans can expect a lot of news in the coming weeks.

Here are five ideal, five attainable, and five realistic trade targets for the Mavs to pursue this summer.

15. Dream — LeBron James

While all signs point to LeBron James re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers and likely finishing his career there, Dallas Mavericks fans have dreamed of James playing alongside Doncic and Irving in Dallas.

Although Dallas could have increased their chances of luring James by drafting his son Bronny James, whom they were linked to prior to the draft, there is still hope that the Mavs can work some magic and bring King James to Big D.

LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, as well as one of the most intelligent. Despite being 39 years old, LeBron James remains a top player in the league and has aged like fine wine in recent years.

LeBron shows no signs of slowing down, and if the Mavericks can pull off a sign-and-trade to make LeBron a Maverick, they will form the greatest big three of all time, with Doncic, Irving, and LeBron leading the way.

Dallas signing LeBron is extremely unlikely at this time, but there are hints that point to an Irving and LeBron reunion with the Mavericks. Irving attempted to recruit LeBron to the Mavericks last summer, and signing with Dallas would provide him with a legitimate chance to win another championship.

14. Reach: Kelly Oubre Jr.

The Dallas Mavericks expressed interest in signing Kelly Oubre Jr. last summer after he had a successful season with the Charlotte Hornets. Given how bad Charlotte was, there were concerns that Oubre Jr. would be unable to string together another good season if a good team signed him, but Oubre Jr. proved he can still put up big numbers on a contender by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Oubre Jr. averaged 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 31.1% from downtown. Oubre Jr. made anyone who doubted him look foolish, and this summer could be the ideal time for the Mavs to consider signing him.

Signing Oubre Jr. would be extremely difficult if the Mavs re-signed Derrick Jones Jr., but if they don’t, he could become a realistic target rather than a stretch. He would provide the Mavs with a new third scorer, alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who can score off the dribble or off the catch, and he can also defend some in space, contrary to popular belief.

Oubre Jr. would be no match for Jones Jr. as a defender in Dallas, but his scoring should pique the Mavs’ interest. Dallas clearly needed a third scorer in the playoffs, and Oubre Jr. would have the opportunity to fill that role.

13. Realistic: Spencer Dinwiddie

Dallas Mavericks fans experienced a whirlwind of emotions around the 2024 NBA trade deadline. Dallas had traded for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, two players who helped them reach the NBA Finals, but they also had an opportunity to improve just a few days later.

Dallas traded away more players than they brought in, resulting in an open roster spot. This meant that the Mavericks could bring in another player to help them with their championship push in the coming months.

Spencer Dinwiddie was bought out, and the Mavs were immediately mentioned as a possible destination for him. Dinwiddie would later choose between the Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers, and while he chose Los Angeles last season, the Mavericks should consider signing Dinwiddie this summer.

Dinwiddie averaged 10.5 points and 4.7 assists per game for the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets last season, shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from downtown. Dinwiddie isn’t the same player he once was, but the Mavericks should look into signing him.

He would be their third creator and scorer, after Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and he is already familiar with the organization. Dinwiddie would have to regain the trust of Mavs fans after making controversial comments last season about why he chose the Lakers over the Mavs, and signing with the Mavs this summer would be the ideal way to do so.

12. Dream – Obi Toppin

Obi Toppin will be a restricted free agent with the Indiana Pacers this summer, and while something absolutely insane would be required to bring him to the Dallas Mavericks, he’d be a fun free agent target for them to pursue.

Last season for the Pacers, Toppin averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from three. Toppin has progressed from a player known solely for his dunks to an elite stretch four, and he’d be an ideal fit in Dallas if Maxi Kleber were to be moved.

Kleber had some great moments during the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, but there were also times when he appeared unplayable. He has played a lot of minutes as a stretch five for Dallas over the years, and while Toppin does not defend as well as Kleber, he is a younger upgrade.

Toppin would give the Mavs a stretch four who can defend, knock down open shots, and finish above the rim, and his trade to Dallas would transform Big D into a lob city. Luka Doncic thrives with high-flying players like Toppin, and he’d get his fair share of highlight-reel plays while playing alongside Doncic.

Toppin is only 26 years old and would be a great fit in Dallas’ young core.

11. Reach – Buddy Hield

The Dallas Mavericks have long been linked to Buddy Hield, and while they have yet to sign or trade for him, perhaps they will this summer. Hield’s value has dropped, and if the Mavericks sign him during his unrestricted free agency, they will finally have a sharpshooter.

Last season, Hield averaged 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three.

Hield’s role with the Sixers fluctuated during the playoffs, making this fit questionable at times, and he’d most likely be happy to sign with Dallas. He owns a home in Dallas, and a fresh start while playing in a city he enjoys would benefit both parties.

If Dallas signs Hield, they will be getting a shooter who has been elite in this area since he entered the league. Last season, the Mavericks lacked a true shooter on their roster, so someone like Hield would get plenty of looks playing alongside Luka Doncic.

Dallas expressed interest in trading for Hield last offseason, and now they have the option to sign him outright rather than pursue a trade for him. The Mavs will have limited options for him, but perhaps the stars will align and Hield will become a Maverick.

10. Realistic – Dennis Smith, Jr.

When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks during the 2018-19 season, a fan favorite left far too soon. As part of this deal, the Mavericks had to send second-year guard Dennis Smith Jr. to New York, and no one got to see what he and Luka Doncic could have done together.

Doncic and Smith Jr. were close friends, and after bouncing around the league for the past few years, Smith Jr. is ready to return to the Mavs. Smith Jr. has emerged as one of the NBA’s best and most underappreciated guard defenders in recent seasons, and the Mavericks should consider signing him as a backup point guard.

Last season for the Nets, Smith Jr. averaged 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from three. Smith Jr. isn’t the type of player who will light it up from downtown, but his improved playmaking and defense are very intriguing.

Smith Jr. has the potential to be an elite defender off the bench for the Mavericks, and he could play a significant role if Dallas took a chance on him and signed him. They could also likely do it at a reasonable price.

9. Dream—Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is one of the best available shooting guards this summer, with the potential to be an elite role player on any playoff team. Caldwell-Pope has been excellent for the Denver Nuggets for a long time, and he has progressed from an unnoticed player in Detroit to an essential component of a championship team.

Caldwell-Pope averaged 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game for Denver last season, shooting 46 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from three-point range. He has contributed significantly to Denver’s success over the years, and he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The Dallas Mavericks would improve significantly if they could sign Caldwell-Pope as a 3-and-D wing, which, while unlikely, would be an intriguing fit. Dallas could pair Caldwell-Pope with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Caldwell-Pope would play the three on offense but can guard multiple positions, making him an ideal perimeter option for Doncic and Irving. He is limited offensively, but the Mavs don’t need him to do much.

Hit open shots, play tough defense, and bring energy.

Getting Caldwell-Pope to Dallas would be nearly impossible, but it would be an entertaining move.

8. Reach: Tobias Harris

The Dallas Mavericks have already been linked to Tobias Harris this offseason, and while acquiring him would be nearly impossible, he’d be an intriguing fit who could immediately become the Mavs’ third scorer.

Although some Mavs fans are opposed to the team pursuing Harris, he would immediately fill a need for the team. Outside of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, they don’t have a single player who can take over and consistently score points, and Harris is more than capable of doing so.

Last season’s trade deadline saw the Mavs looking for a forward who can handle the ball, and Harris can bring the ball up when needed and create his own shot. He can light up the scoreboard and score in large numbers, as well as thrive off the ball when necessary. Harris can also be a secondary playmaker in spurts, and his size and shooting ability, when combined, should excite Mavs fans.

Harris doesn’t always need the ball in his hands to thrive, and he’d have plenty of open shots while playing alongside Doncic and Irving.

Harris has also been healthy for the majority of his career, and the Mavericks need someone who can play 70 or more games per season. Irving and Doncic have had injury issues in the past, so having another star who is usually healthy would be huge.

7. Realistic—Markieff Morris

The Dallas Mavericks face a difficult decision this summer with veteran forward Markieff Morris. Dallas signed him to a one-year contract last summer after acquiring him in the Kyrie Irving trade, and despite his limited playing time this season, he made an impact off the court and from the bench.

Morris emerged as a strong locker room leader, and his teammates and coaches have all praised him as an excellent teammate. Morris was named the team’s MVP by Jason Kidd last season, and he is now an unrestricted free agent.

The Mavericks can either re-sign Morris, knowing he won’t play meaningful minutes, or let him go and use his roster spot for someone who can play in the rotation. This will not be an easy decision for Dallas.

Finding rotation players on veteran minimum contracts is difficult, but Morris may provide enough value off the court to entice the Mavericks to keep him. Every team requires a locker room leader and a vibes guy like Morris, and if I had to guess, Morris would be overjoyed to be back with the Mavs.

He is the epitome of a class act, but the Mavericks’ decision on whether to re-sign him or let him go is unknown at this time. Knowing you have an unplayable player on your roster is difficult, but Morris’ return to Dallas just feels right.

6. Dream — Derrick Jones Jr.

Last summer, the Dallas Mavericks made an underappreciated move by signing Derrick Jones Jr. to a one-year contract; by the end of the season, he was the starting wing and one of the best defenders on the team.

Last season, Jones Jr. averaged 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three. His shooting improvements during the playoffs aided the Mavs greatly, and he was a valuable member of the team.

His 3-point percentage increased to 36.9 percent during the playoffs, and his defense was outstanding. He takes pride in guarding the opposing team’s best player, and he accepts whatever role Jason Kidd assigns him.

Re-signing Jones Jr. is a priority for Dallas, and he wants to return as well, so the Mavs must make this happen. He was extremely valuable to the Mavericks down the stretch, and he is an excellent fit in Dallas.

It would be in Dallas’ best interest to sign or trade for a different wing to start over Jones Jr., who can contribute more offensively, but Jones Jr.’s return to the Mavs is a fan’s dream.

Jones Jr. doesn’t make his own shots, but he can knock down open shots and finish above the rim with ease.

5. Reach – Bruce Brown

Before NBA free agency began last summer, the Dallas Mavericks expressed interest in Bruce Brown, who had recently won the NBA Finals with the Denver Nuggets. Brown was a key piece for Denver in the playoffs, averaging 12 points per game and one steal, and he was a sought-after trade target.

Brown initially signed with the Indiana Pacers before being traded to the Toronto Raptors during the season. Although the Raptors are expected to pick up Brown’s team option this summer, he has a very slim chance of becoming a free agent if the Raptors decline their team option.

Regardless of whether he becomes a free agent, Brown would be an excellent fit in Dallas. He can defend multiple positions, convert open shots, and is a winner. Brown understands what it takes to win on the biggest stage, and he has been open to whatever role has been assigned to him.

There would have to be a lot of moving parts for Dallas to sign Brown, and while it appears unlikely, Brown could be a significant contributor in Dallas. If Toronto exercises their team option, it appears unlikely that Dallas will be able to acquire him.

4. Realistic: Naji Marshall

The Dallas Mavericks’ top priority this summer remains re-signing Derrick Jones Jr. Jones Jr. outperformed on his one-year veteran minimum contract with Dallas last season, and he became an important member of the team.

He started on the wing for the Mavs and developed into the team’s best defender, but there is also a rumored backup option if Jones Jr. does not return. Although all signs point to Jones Jr. becoming a Maverick, as he wants to return as much as Dallas does, all options must be considered.

Naji Marshall is one potential backup option for the Mavericks if they are unable to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr., and he would be an intriguing player to bring off the bench.

Marshall averaged 7.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.7 steals per game for the New Orleans Pelicans last season while shooting 38.7 percent from three, and he’d be an energy player like Jones Jr.

Marshall makes open shots and plays tough defense, but he isn’t as effective as Jones Jr. at the point of attack. Despite the fact that both are solid defenders and hard workers, losing Jones Jr. to sign Marshall would be a blow.

Continuity is important, and keeping a key member of the team that led Dallas to the Finals is critical.

3. Dream: Paul George

Although it appears that Paul George will opt out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and be traded elsewhere, he would be a monster for the Dallas Mavericks.

Former Mavericks guards Theo Pinson and Raymond Felton suggested Dallas make this move, and if they were able to sign George, they would have one of the best big threes in history, along with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.

George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from downtown. George would be an elite player both off and on the court if he were paired with Doncic and Irving.

Landing George would be a dream come true for Mavs fans, but bringing him here would be a monumental task. Dallas does not have the money to sign him outright, and bringing him here in a trade is a pipe dream, but this team would be incredible with him on the roster.

It appears that he will join the Philadelphia 76ers, and if that happens, Mavs fans should be grateful that they only have to play him twice a year. When George is healthy and playing confidently, he is a monster.

2. Reach: Russell Westbrook

The Dallas Mavericks’ need for a third ball handler during the playoffs was obvious after Dante Exum’s departure, and they must find someone who can play consistent minutes in the playoffs while also creating for his teammates.

Russell Westbrook, who became a villain for Mavs fans during the 2024 NBA Playoffs after a scuffle with Luka Doncic and P.J. Washington, is someone they should at least consider.

Last season for the Los Angeles Clippers, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 27.3% from three. Westbrook is a one-time MVP, nine-time All-Star, and all-time great who could be just what the Mavericks need.

Although his emotions frequently get the best of him, as Mavs fans witnessed during the playoffs, Westbrook is a fierce competitor who works extremely hard. He gives his all on both ends of the floor and always plays at a 110 percent pace.

Westbrook is a poor shooter, but he is an excellent finisher and a source of energy on both ends. Signing Westbrook would provide the Mavs with a guaranteed third ball handler, and he could likely be signed at a reasonable price.

Westbrook is well past his prime, but he’d be an entertaining guard off the bench in Dallas.

1. Realistic: Patrick Beverley

The Dallas Mavericks may prioritize adding another guard off the bench this summer, and they would prefer to find someone who can play in big moments, has plenty of experience, and fits Dallas’ culture.

Patrick Beverley has previously spoken highly of Luka Doncic, and he could be a solid veteran option for Dallas to pursue. Although he may not see much action if signed by the Mavs, Beverley would provide defense, toughness, and some facilitating.

Last season, Beverley averaged 6.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.6 steals per game, shooting 41.7% from the field and 33.7% from three. He isn’t the same player he was when he was on All-Defensive teams with the Houston Rockets, but he may still have something left in the tank.

Beverley can still hit open shots and run the offense when necessary, and his energy level is incredible. He never gives up on a play and will give his all, regardless of the circumstances.

The Mavs will most likely be near the top of the Western Conference next year, but they, like any other team, must work hard to achieve this.

Stay tuned for latest Dallas Mavericks news during free agency.

The Mavericks guard’s father has shockingly stated that the team will trade him this summer.

In other news, The Mavericks guard’s father has shockingly stated that the team will trade him this summer.