5 Free agents the Dallas Mavericks should sign after 2 days of free agency
The Dallas Mavericks got their top priority done quickly as they re-signed Kyrie Irving to a new three-year contract, but the front office was not done. They signed Seth Curry on a bargain deal, brought back Dwight Powell, and added former top five pick Dante Exum. The Mavs are determined to improve their roster, and they are far from done.
Dallas still has the full taxpayer mid-level exception to add a marquee free agent. They used their bi-annual exception on Curry and had Bird rights on Powell. There have been signings galore and massive amounts of money spent. The market is slowly drying up, so the Mavericks should act fast in filling out their roster.
After two wild days of free agency, who is still on the board to target? The Mavericks must add a 3-and-D wing and some size. Putting talent around Luka Doncic and Kyrie is key, but will they find the right fit for the mid-level exception?
The Mavs entered the offseason searching for a new starting center. They have done plenty to address that position, but did they acquire an immediate upgrade? Dallas selected Dereck Lively II with the 12th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but the 19-year-old rookie averaged 20 minutes per game last season for Duke. He is not ready to take over as their starting center from day one.
The Mavericks also acquired Richaun Holmes in a draft night trade, but he was out of the Kings' rotation last season. Betting on him to take the lion’s share of the minutes at the five seems a bit optimistic.
Dallas re-signed Dwight Powell on July 1, but he should be their backup big man at best next season. JaVale McGee remains on the roster, despite not being in the team’s plans.
The Mavs may need another center, and they should be searching for a strong rebounder with a versatile skill set. Mason Plumlee would give them an experienced option that would certainly be an upgrade over Powell. Signing Plumlee would force Dallas to make a trade, but it could finally give them the starting center that they have searched for since Kristaps Porzingis was traded to Washington.
The Dallas Mavericks' biggest need is a 3-and-D wing, and that is likely where they will try to spend their mid-level exception.
